Iraq: Golden Mosque Bombing Mastermind Killed In Coalition Operation

Iraq: Golden Mosque Bombing Mastermind
Killed In Coalition Operation
Sunday, August 05, 2007

Coalition Forces positively identified a terrorist killed during an operation Aug. 2 east of Samarra.

Coalition Forces killed Haythem Sabah Shaker Mahmud al-Badri, also known as Haythem Sabah al-Badri, during an operation east of Samarra targeting him and a network facilitating the movement of foreign fighters in Iraq. Al-Badri was the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of Greater Samarra and the terrorist responsible for planning the Golden Mosque bombing in Samarra June 13, 2007.

During the operation, Coalition Forces raided a series of four buildings associated with al-Badri. Approximately four armed men moved from the targeted buildings into outdoor tactical fighting positions in what was assessed by the ground forces to be an ambush on approaching Coalition Forces. Responding appropriately to the hostile threat, Coalition Forces called in close air support. Al-Badri, along with three other terrorists, was killed by the air strike. One of the other terrorists was assessed to be a foreigner. Ground forces also found weapons on site and detained seven other suspected terrorists.

Al-Badri was positively identified by close associates and family members.

Al-Badri was the mastermind behind the first bombing on Samarra’s Golden Mosque in February 2006, as well as the second bombing Jun. 13 of this year. Intelligence reports indicate he had a working relationship with al-Qaeda in Iraq and was considered an operational planner and emir in the Samarra area.

Reports also indicate Al-Badri was involved in the Kirkuk courthouse bombing Jun. 23, 2006, that killed 20 Iraqis and wounded more than 100, and a suicide bombing attack on an Iraqi Army checkpoint in Samarra that killed 29 and wounded more than 100 Iraqi soldiers and civilians.

Al-Badri operated a terrorist network in Samarra responsible for improvised explosive device and vehicle-borne IED attacks, sometimes acting as the triggerman. He was known to target Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians who work with the Coalition, as well as a rival tribe and politicians from that tribe.

Al-Badri helped move foreign terrorists around Iraq for terrorist activities, and received logistic support, including money, cars and suicide bombers from al-Qaeda associates outside Iraq.

"The Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces are pursuing those responsible for the reprehensible attacks on the Samarra Shrine and we will continue to hunt down the brutal terrorists who are intent on creating a Taliban-like state in Iraq," said Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, MNF-I deputy spokesman.

(From press release #A070805b by MNF-I PRESS DESK, BAGHDAD, Iraq)