Release A050616d

Mosul 's most-wanted captured

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD , Iraq – Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces captured the leader of Al-Qaida in the Mosul region June 14.

Muhammad Khalaf Shakar, also known as Abu Talha, is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's most trusted operations agent in all of Iraq . He was captured without incident.

Multiple intelligence sources led Coalition forces to Abu Talha's location in a quiet neighborhood in Mosul . According to former Talha associates, Talha never stayed more than one night at any one residence, and always wore a suicide vest, saying he would never surrender.

Talha gave up peacefully to Coalition forces and supporting Iraqi Security Forces, and is fully cooperating with Coalition and Iraqi officials.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT Cmdr. Dave Wray at 703-343-8240.