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Iraqi forces detain two suspected of aiding al-Zarqawi
Hamza Ali Ahmed al-Widmizyar, known as Abu Majid, and Salman Aref Abdulkadir Khwamurad al-Zardowe, also called Abu Sharif, were arrested at the beginning of April during a raid on Ramadi, said the government, without explaining why the information was just released Tuesday.
Abu Majid met with al-Zarqawi at least five times and helped with communications, weapons and money for the Jordanian-born terrorist, according to the statement, which didn't provide details of the assistance.
Abu Sharif confirmed Abu Majid's role and "confessed his involvement in terrorist activity," including the manufacture and detonation of bombs, the government said.
U.S. and Iraqi troops have been battling an insurgency led by al-Qaida-linked terrorists and supporters of Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime since shortly after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Attacks mainly target members of the U.S. and Iraqi security forces and are aimed at destabilizing Iraq and undermining efforts to rebuild its economy.
Violence had subsided near Iraq's Jan. 30 elections for a National Assembly, prompting some Iraqi politicians to say the insurgency was abating. A spate of assaults last week, however, killed dozens, including 28-year-old U.S. aid worker Marla Ruzicka.
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