An Iraqi youth sits on the ground close to US soldiers holding a defensive position during a neighborhood search in Baquba earlier this week. Iraq forces supported by US troops have arrested 35 suspects as a major crackdown on fighters in the Al-Qaeda bastion of Diyala province enters its second day.(AFP/File/Ali Yussef) From Yahoo News/AFP:
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Several Al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq have left the country for Afghanistan in a sign of weakness in the insurgent group, The Washington Post reported Thursday quoting Iraqi intelligence.
US officials also say Al-Qaeda may be sending new recruits to Afghanistan, where they have made gains, and away from Iraq, where they have been hit by US and Iraqi forces, the newspaper reported.
"We do believe Al-Qaeda is doing some measure of re-assessment regarding the continued viability of its fight in Iraq and whether Iraq should remain the focus of its efforts," Brigadier General Brian Keller, senior intelligence officer for General David Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, told the paper in an e-mail.
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More News On Al Qaeda Leaving Iraq For Afghanistan
Al-Qaeda leaving Iraq for Afghanistan: report -- AFP
More foreign fighters join Taliban in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Al-Qaeda in Iraq Leader May Be in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Iraq militant group head said to be in Afghanistan -- Reuters
Exodus of al-Qaeda leaders from Iraq -- Sydney Morning Herald
Report: Al-Qaeda leaving Iraq for Afghanistan -- Middle East Online
Al-Qaeda hails 'revival' in Afghanistan -- Asia Times
Study: New Strategy Needed vs. Al Qaeda -- FOX News
My Comment: The rats are escaping a sinking ship.