US ‘captures Iraq militant’

BAGHDAD – A suspected al Qaeda in Iraq fighter believed responsible for the assassination of a US-allied Sunni tribal leader in Anbar province was arrested north of Baghdad, the military said yesterday.

Fallah Khalifa Hiyas Fayyas al-Jumayli, an Iraqi also known as Abu Khamis, was seized Saturday in a raid west of Balad after intelligence reports linked him to the killing of Sheik Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, the military said. He was not believed to be acting alone and the search continued for other suspects, military spokesman Rear Admiral Mark Fox said.Abu Risha, 37, was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening _ an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and US forces against al Qaeda in Iraq.He and three companions were killed in a bombing Thursday outside his heavily guarded compound in the Anbar capital of Ramadi.The terror network issued a statement claiming responsibility for his death and vowed to hunt down others who turn against it.Fox said al-Jumayli was accused of involvement in a plot to kill key leaders in the tribal alliance.He also reportedly was responsible for car bomb and suicide vest attacks in Anbar and was closely allied with senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the region west of Baghdad.Nampa-APHe was not believed to be acting alone and the search continued for other suspects, military spokesman Rear Admiral Mark Fox said.Abu Risha, 37, was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening _ an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and US forces against al Qaeda in Iraq.He and three companions were killed in a bombing Thursday outside his heavily guarded compound in the Anbar capital of Ramadi.The terror network issued a statement claiming responsibility for his death and vowed to hunt down others who turn against it.Fox said al-Jumayli was accused of involvement in a plot to kill key leaders in the tribal alliance.He also reportedly was responsible for car bomb and suicide vest attacks in Anbar and was closely allied with senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the region west of Baghdad.Nampa-AP