Al-Qaida now pursued in Iraq's north

KIRKUK, Iraq, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- After largely being forced out of Anbar province, military officials say the al-Qaida insurgency has focused its operations in the northern provinces of Iraq.

U.S. Air Force Col. Donald Bacon, chief of strategy and plans for Multi-National Force-Iraq's strategic communications division, says that coalition forces have pushed the terrorist network out of Anbar province in the west, while Baghdad is now experiencing improved security and areas south have also seen improvements. Bacon says the coalition force's latest operations are now in pursuit of al-Qaida in the north centering in Diyala province, the Multi-National Force-Iraq reported.

Recent operations officials say coalition forces detained 37 al-Qaida operatives and killed another 24. The latest move for troops in the north of the country also uncovered the widely reported al-Qaida torture and execution facility.

"At that execution site, there were 26 remains found. Their arms were tied behind their back, and most of them were shot in the back of the head," Bacon said in a statement. "I think al-Qaida is synonymous for many with the car bombs, along with the executions they provide.

"But I think one thing that is not as well known is that their mode of operation is torture in any area that they are in. It's used to intimidate the locals and to try to cow the populace in that area."