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Capture of Saddam's lieutenant was key to finding leader
By Eric Schmitt
NEW YORK TIMES
TIKRIT, Iraq - The most-wanted man in Iraq last week -- besides Saddam Hussein -- was not on anyone's Top 55 or even Top 200 fugitive list.
He was a balding, paunchy, middle-aged veteran of Saddam's once-feared Special Security Organization, who was a notorious womanizer and a member of one of the five close-knit families in this region that supplied Saddam's most trusted lieutenants.
But most important to American forces, he probably knew Saddam's whereabouts at any given moment.
And last Saturday night, after his capture in Baghdad and four hours of grueling interrogation, he led U.S. Special Operations Forces to Saddam's hole-in-the-ground hideaway just south of here.
Army officers said Friday that they had known for months that the informant was an important player in Saddam's Mafia-like organization.
But it was only within the past several weeks that they came to realize just how crucial he really was to Saddam's survival.
"He would be someone I'd call his right arm," said Maj. Stan Murphy, the intelligence officer for the 4th Infantry Division's First Brigade, which conducted the raid that captured Saddam. "In my mind, he was that important. He had real-time information."
Fourth Division commanders and intelligence officers refused to identify their star informant Friday, citing continuing operations.
But interviews with several officers here over the past two days reveal new details about the informant and the detective work by military intelligence analysts here over the past several months to identify a complex web of relationships linked to Saddam.
"The tribal clans here are all based on interpersonal relationships, so what you have to do is build yourself a map of those relationships," said Lt. Col. Todd Megill, the chief intelligence officer for the 4th Division.
The holy grail of this analytical effort, first described Thursday in The Wall Street Journal, is a highly classified, color-coded chart that depicts Saddam's family and organizational tree.
Centered in the middle of the chart in a yellow circle like a bull's-eye is Saddam. Links to other people radiate out, based on familial and functional ties. The names of those people killed or captured are written in red. The chart was started in late June with four names. Today, Murphy said, intelligence analysts are tracking more than 9,000 people.
About 250 are important enough to earn a place on the chart's wiring diagram that is so mind-numbingly intricate that officers here simply call it the "Mongo Link." It is the product of a 16-member intelligence team managed by Murphy.
Analysts working at computer terminals in 12-hour shifts, round-the-clock, seven days a week, update databases with the latest information from Iraqi informants, Army patrols, electronic intercepts and other sources.
Given these dynamics, Murphy said, the chart is "a living, breathing document" that every day brings into clearer focus the complex series of family, tribal and functional connections that Saddam used to stay in power, survive when ousted and, apparently, help direct the insurgency while at large.
The chart tracks five major extended families whose roots run deep in towns and villages with names such as Abu Ajeel, Alam, Auja and Adwar in a 12-mile-long corridor near Tikrit along the Tigris River.
>From all of this information, Murphy and other officers said, they have pieced together what they believe is the structure that supported Saddam during his life on the run.
Surrounding Saddam were about five key lieutenants, whom Murphy called Saddam's "enablers." He would not identify any of them by name, but said they were all from the five families that had long been closely associated with Saddam and had all served in senior positions in the security services, the military or government ministries.
Each of these five enablers had specific jobs, Murphy said. One did logistics. One did planning. One did operations. One did financing. The fifth "enabler" was the informant, who as Saddam's right-hand man acted as a kind of chief of staff. Only one of the men was on the original 200 most-wanted list.
Each enabler issued orders to tiers of subordinates, who executed the instructions. There was, for instance, a cell that did nothing but arrange safe houses, food and transportation. It was through this network that Saddam directed the insurgency, transmitting instructions through his lieutenants to cell leaders in cities such as Samarra, Ramadi and Fallujah, Murphy said.
What elevated the informant to such a lofty position is a bit unclear. He joined the Iraqi security apparatus as a young man, working his way up the rungs of power, perhaps inheriting a role from another trusted family elder. "He proved his worth in Saddam's eyes, and had continued to earn that trust," Murphy said.
When the intelligence team began mapping out the wiring diagram of Saddam's network, the informant and three other men were charter members.
Soldiers conducted raids on the informant's farm twice in July, but he eluded capture and was still not put at the top of the pecking order. "I had him templated at a more local level, not at such a high level," Murphy said.
Throughout the summer and early fall, even as the hunt for Saddam seemed to hit a lull, the intelligence team here continued to build up its chart, sharpening its focus not only on the informant but on other key leaders. By early October, a couple of the top enablers were seized, and the information flow picked up.
By early December, "the volume of information about him went through the roof," Murphy said. The 1st Brigade intensified the hunt for the informant. Between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. Dec. 3, 1st Brigade soldiers conducted five raids in Tikrit in search of their man.
"This individual was the target," said Col. James Hickey, the commander of the 1st Brigade. The informant eluded capture, but soldiers seized some of his aides responsible for financing enemy operations. The next night, this time in Samarra, about 25 miles to the south, the soldiers went hunting again. Again, they came up empty, but captured more lieutenants and $1.9 million in American currency.
On Dec. 7, in Baiji, north of Tikrit, Army soldiers missed him again. But on Dec. 12, American forces seized the informant in Baghdad as part of a major roundup of insurgents. It took commanders in Baghdad several hours to realize whom they had nabbed, but the informant was quickly shipped to Tikrit for questioning Saturday
morning. By 8:30 p.m., Saddam was in custody.
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U.S. troops show their cool with Red Dawn
Posted Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 12:57 am
By Cesar G. Soriano
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
When U.S. troops set out to capture Saddam Hussein on Saturday, they first had to choose a name for their mission. It had to be relevant. It had to be inspiring. Most of all, it had to be cool. Operation Red Dawn was born.
The mission was named for the 1984 film about a group of Colorado high school students — the Wolverines — who rebel after Soviet and Cuban forces invade the United States. The film starred Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, C. Thomas Howell and Jennifer Grey.
"Operation Red Dawn was so fitting because it was a patriotic, pro-American movie," says Army Capt. Geoffrey McMurray, who picked the name.
Speaking by phone from Tikrit, Iraq, McMurray said the name was logical after his commander in the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division had already dubbed the target farmhouses Wolverine 1 and Wolverine 2. Hours after Saddam was captured, a brilliant red dawn bathed Iraq.
"The decision was made in haste. We didn't have time to craft up a name, so it just turned out it was ironic," McMurray says. "I think all of us in the military have seen 'Red Dawn,'" said McMurray, 29. The Glendora, Calif., resident first saw the film when he was 10 years old.
"I was deeply flattered and honored. It's nice to have a lasting legacy," says John Milius, who directed and co-wrote the film. The soldiers' successful mission epitomized "the spirit of the Wolverines. The message of 'Red Dawn' is to liberate the oppressed," says Milius, best known as the screenwriter of "Apocalypse Now."
"How cool is that?" says Thompson, when told about the movie's connection to Saddam. "Especially in mid-America, that's, like, everybody's favorite movie. I had the best time ever making that movie. I got to be a boy, shooting guns and riding horses," she says. ......
"I'm always amazed at the attention that film continues to get," says Howell. Nearly 20 years later, fans "are still shouting 'Wolverine!' to me on a weekly basis."
So did the Army soldiers shout "Wolverine!" when they caught Saddam? "Ha-ha — no, I don't think so," McMurray says.
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This story comes with a Kleenex warning - be prepared to shed a few tears....
A Grandmother's Story:
Dear Bob, We have done the wife and the mother, but I had asked my mother in law to write something for you to add to your update. She is in South Dakota and does not have email, so she sent me her feelings the old fashioned way and I received it today. And instead of cleaning, here I sit. It impressed me so much I wanted to share it with you, so you could share if you felt fit.
"In September 2002, my 20 year old grandson was a new recruit at Ft Knox, Kentucky. We had been hearing stirrings of an ominous nature emanating from Iraq. This boy had looked carefully at his career choices before ultimately deciding on the army. A trip to Ft Knox and seeing my grandson in uniform, tall, standing straight and proud and so handsome was as emotionally overwhelming as the first day I saw him at 2 hours old! I was prepared to be overwhelmed at the first site, not the second!
After completing training and waiting to report to FT Hood, we were able to have some time together here in South Dakota. The days passed too quickly and the departure day was upon us. His uniform needed pressing and I insisted on the privilege of doing the job. As I was smoothing the trousers and straightening the creases I looked at my hands and I knew I had joined an elite sisterhood going back through the ages.
How many mothers and grandmothers have smoothed and pressed these garments of brotherhood of service. How many have known the swelling of pride in this honorable young man, doing his duty. How many have known this - the corresponding welling of abject fear at the thought of sending this child of their soul into known harms way, down a path of experiences that will forever alter all he is.
This would be how my grandmother felt when her grandson, child of her soul sailed away to the Pacific. Grandmothers whose loss came in the war that divided this country, grandmothers whose loss was in the war to make this country free. A grandmother who has waited for some good news from Korea so her personal shining star could come home to Tennessee where, after all, he belonged. Grandmothers through time who knew the most precious gift they could give their country is this proud honorable young man who will do his duty for his country.
This grandmother's job description is pretty narrow. I write letter's and send stuff. I support his mom and communicate with his girl friend and continue to feel the same pride and love I've always felt and now add an extra measure of respect.
When he was a little guy he would call and say "Okay, Marg, I can come out for a few days, meet us in the canyon to pick me up." Checking the atlas, it's not so far. "Okay, I can come for a few days, meet me in London!" I could do that-no problem!
In my mind I sit by and hold the hand of this boy's mother. We've shared a lot, sometimes I've given strength, sometimes I have taken strength. We have been outrageously silly, gaining release in laughter. We have cried and our mingled tears speak of fear, loneliness and disappointment. I hold this woman in respect, admiration and love. We two know of the great love each has for this boy, this boy who is now a man. I think no one else in the world but her understands how I feel. How glad I am to have her."
Bob once again thank you for helping us stay connected and informed. You have been a staple for me and many others, as you know. Son in Baqubah, Iraq
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) I have to tell you I actually laughed out loud reading the excerpts from the soldier writing home. Thanks for including it. As far as hearing from my husband (1/67), we have gotten into the habit of playing chess online together. How wonderful our technological advances are! I have signed up for Broadband internet services and got myself a yahoo acct so that when he signs on my computer chimes. It may be three am while we are chatting, but who could've imagined during wartime with my spouse in Iraq we could play a friendly (mostly) game of Chess! haha! I love it! Sadly, I still haven't won. But with a few more months of practice...
2) My son just called this (Friday) morning from Qatar, he'd just gotten there for R&R. He's with the 3/66 AR in Baiji. It's actually R&R for both of us, 4 days of not having to worry so much about him! He received all his Christmas packages in record time and has them all opened already. And the soldiers with him have been having great feasts on the home-made cookies and the taco fixings I sent them. I'm going to send him supplies to make chili next! He sounded the calmest I've ever heard this morning, I quess R&R is really good for that. He talked a little bit about what it's been like since Saddam's capture, he says not much has changed, they had to do crowd control in Baiji during a demonstration of Saddam supporters, he said rocks were thrown at the soldiers, so they used a fire truck and hosed them down! And I am so proud to say that it was the 4th that captured Saddam and I just want to say thank you to all of them and I pray for peace for them and for us.
3) I heard from my husband at 4 a.m. this morning. After being in the States for so long he was used to cold over there. Thank God cause I did not have to hear that complaint. He is happy to be back and can't wait to get back with his fellow soldiers. Though I can say I am a little selfish..I wanted him to stay, but he had to go. He got his promotable status and is now re-enlisting to finish his 20 years. I guess the soldier in him came out again after the capture of Sadam. Way to go guys for showing him the reason he wanted to be a soldier again!!! 46 Chemical Company/ 2nd Chemical Battalion GO WOLFPACK!!!
4) Well, yesterday (Dec18) I got an early gift. It wasn't my boyfriend (1-22 Infantry Scout) unfortunately, but he sent me some flowers to work. We have some amazing guys!!! No one at work could believe he sent me them all the way from Iraq, I'm the envy of all my friends. One even cried and said I was blessed to have him. Of course I already knew that. But what got me laughing was in his note he wrote "We Got SADDAM". I still haven't talked to him, and it's driving me crazy. But I'm sure he's still going nuts that they got Saddam. Well that's it for now......can't believe you had a shortage on notes. Well you'll probably be drowned with them now. (Editor's Note: She's right - too many notes to use but I'd rather have this problem than not enough notes - keep sending them to me).
5) Bob, one of the most moving reactions to Saddam's capture was that of one of our friends who is a Vietnam veteran. Not only is he a Vietnam vet, but he was cut off from his platoon & wandered alone in the jungles over there for over 90 days! He was listed as an MIA and was presumed dead. Here are his thoughts, "Those boys & girls hunkered down over there & caught that bad boy! I guess the thing that makes me the most happy is that it is easy to see that America is supporting her troops in Iraq. Sure would have been easier for us that went to Nam, if we had been supported
like that. But that's OK, you tell that little blond haired girl of yours how proud this old man is of her and all the others over there and for them to -- Take Names and Kick Ass!" This comes from a man I have heard probably speak only five words at one given time in a complete conversation. Proud Mom of a 4ID Soldier and a Prouder Friend of a Real to Life American Hero that paid his dues in Vietnam nearly 40 years ago!! HOOAH--
6) We got an e-mail from our son; HHC TOC 1/67 4ID Camp Scunion. He says the weather was bad. He has guard duty in a tower of sorts at night, and the rain and wind was so bad he had a hard time standing in one place....doesn't sound like fun. He was very excited about the capture still even though as he said, "we were not directly involved". He got more x-mas packages from family and friends, he said his tree is getting full with all the presents he has gotten. He sounded real good, very positive. He said he was up for mid-tour leave but declined . He said he couldn't take leave before a soldier with family did, so gave it to someone else...so typical of him to think of others. I am very proud of all of our soldiers. They are doing great things daily in the face of adversity, and acting like it's just part of the job!! The rest of the nation could learn a thing or two from these young men and women. GOD BLESS THE TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES!
7) Bob, the last time we heard from our son in C/1-44 ADA was November 25. So
we were very happy to get an e-mail from him 12/19. As you can see, the entire 4th ID is elated over Saddam's capture. Also he sent his thanks for all the school supplies he has received for their adopted Iraqi school. Here are the highlights from his note: Saddam's capture was some great news for us here. I was not directly
involved, but it was close to here, so it would be like Saddam being captured in Pittsford Plaza. We are all familiar with the area. I am so glad that 4ID got him. This means a lot to the Division........ The news of Saddam's capture was awesome. It made us all so happy and really made us feel like we are accomplishing something. .... We delivered the school supplies to the schools the other day. It was a lot
of fun...... The Iraqi kids also got some girl scout cookies. You should have seen their eyes light up. It was classic. They seemed to appreciate the supplies a lot more at this school than the other one. Additionally, there is a girl's school next door to the boy's school that is hurting pretty bad. We didn't even know it was there until a bold female teacher tugged on our arms and walked us over there.....The boy's school stood by and watched as we gave them all the stuff, never offering any to the girls. We are going to fix that situation though......My Hummvee is now armored. I tore apart an old BTR-50 (Soviet APC) and bolted the armor to my truck. I swear I do have some redneck in me.
8) Pleasantly surprised on Thursday with a call from my son with HHC, 3/66 AR. I had not expected a call until maybe Christmas or after. He is fine and anxious to come home. ..... All his Christmas boxes have arrived. They haven't had any time off since Saddam's arrest. Says some Iraqi's are happy he has been caught and others are not so happy, so they are doing police work this week. He sounded very good this time and very relaxed, which was good to hear.
9) I waited until today to email, sure that you were swamped. I was in the kitchen Sunday morning when my husband, on the phone with a friend, called to me from another room, “Turn the television on over there, they got Saddam!” I danced for joy all over the kitchen. You can only imagine the reaction from my fifth graders on Monday morning. They were so hoping their “adopted” soldiers would be coming home, but understood the need for them to stay a while longer. It is helpful to read your daily emails. I am able to take snippets to relay to the children about our progress.
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