Iraqi Al-Qaeda Commander 'Seized'

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From 'BBC': A senior al-Qaeda commander in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul has been captured, Iraqi police say. They say the man, Abdul Khaliq Sabawi, was seized in Salahuddin province, to the south of Mosul's Nineveh province. In recent days, Iraqi troops have been carrying out major operations in Mosul - seen as the last urban stronghold of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq. Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for some of the bloodiest insurgent attacks in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion. Its militants are believed to have regrouped in Mosul since the beginning of the US military "surge" last year.

And in a related story...

Former Hussein General Arrested

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From 'CNN': A top militant who once served as a general in the military under Saddam Hussein was arrested on Monday, Iraqi officials said. Abdul Khaleq al-Sabawi, al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) leader in the Nineveh province city of Mosul, was arrested in Tikrit, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. Interior Ministry spokesman, Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf said al-Sabawi is now being interrogated. Khalaf didn't elaborate on the operation, but said no shots were fired during the arrest.

The arrest is considered part of the Mother of Two Springs offensive against AQI in Mosul because Nineveh officers carried out the raid. The Mother of Two Springs operation focuses on militants in the Mosul area. Iraqi government officials call Mosul the last big urban stronghold for AQI. The operation has netted 1,330 detainees since the start of last week's crackdown, with 240 of them being released, Khalaf said. He said the operation has been "smooth," and no shots have been fired. Five roadside bombs were detonated against security forces without serious casualties since the offensive started, Khalaf said.

Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced an amnesty plan in Nineveh for some militants. Gunmen would be paid and would avoid jail if they gave their medium and heavy weapons to security forces. The amnesty plan -- which began May 16th and will be in effect for 10 days -- applies to people who were "duped and carried weapons" against security forces, but "whose hands are not covered in blood." Those who have committed crimes against civilians do not qualify for the amnesty.