Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Today in Manhunting History -- May 31: Losing al-Rahman

Since May 20, Task Force 145 had been following Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's spiritual adviser, Abd al-Rahman, waiting for him to get into the blue sedan that indicated he was en route to meeting Iraq's most wanted terrorist.  Finally, after eleven days of waiting and watching, on May 31 a Predator observed Rahman switching cars to a blue sedan.

The sedan weaved through Baghdad traffic, making numerous turns to shake any possible tail. After one sudden turn it disappeared behind a tall building. The Predator’s camera panned up and down the street, but could find no sign of the car. The Predator flew around the building, continuing to pan its camera in all directions, but the blue sedan had simply vanished, and with it possibly the best chance of catching Zarqawi to date.

Little did the Task Force realize they would get another shot a week later . . .

No comments:

Post a Comment