Post by SAS P&P Admin on Oct 18, 2005 10:11:36 GMT -5
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=176762&in_page_id=1770
Saddam Hussein's half-brother was captured by an elite SAS snatch squad as he tried to flee to Syria, it has been revealed.
Watban Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, accused of torturing and executing hundreds of prisoners, was caught on a road between the northern city of Mosul and the border.
British forces had been tipped off he was in the area and had a description of Watban and his car.
The six-strong SAS team found him near the border and pounced at a checkpoint.
It was unclear whether any shots were fired but a military source said: "They made him stop in no uncertain terms. These are not the kind of guys you mess with."
Watban's name was on a Pentagon list of 55 of Saddam's top henchmen who are wanted dead or alive.
Packs of playing cards have been issued to Allied soldiers and his face appears of the five of spades.
The Pentagon confirmed Watban was captured by "non-US elements" and Australia, which also have special forces in Iraq, said they were not involved.
British authorities refused to reveal any details of the SAS operation.
US special forces have been fighting a hidden war in Iraq, taking out missile launch sites and securing air fields in the western desert. They are now focused on tracking down Saddam's fleeing aides, many of whom are trying to head for bolt-holes in Syria.
Saddam Hussein's half-brother was captured by an elite SAS snatch squad as he tried to flee to Syria, it has been revealed.
Watban Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, accused of torturing and executing hundreds of prisoners, was caught on a road between the northern city of Mosul and the border.
British forces had been tipped off he was in the area and had a description of Watban and his car.
The six-strong SAS team found him near the border and pounced at a checkpoint.
It was unclear whether any shots were fired but a military source said: "They made him stop in no uncertain terms. These are not the kind of guys you mess with."
Watban's name was on a Pentagon list of 55 of Saddam's top henchmen who are wanted dead or alive.
Packs of playing cards have been issued to Allied soldiers and his face appears of the five of spades.
The Pentagon confirmed Watban was captured by "non-US elements" and Australia, which also have special forces in Iraq, said they were not involved.
British authorities refused to reveal any details of the SAS operation.
US special forces have been fighting a hidden war in Iraq, taking out missile launch sites and securing air fields in the western desert. They are now focused on tracking down Saddam's fleeing aides, many of whom are trying to head for bolt-holes in Syria.