(Updated #1 at bottom)
(Update #2 below)
The recent arrest and confessions of Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi shines an uncomfortable light (uncomfortable for those who warned such cooperation wasn't possible due to ideological differences) on what many observers of the Iraq war warned wasn't possible: Cooperation between Iraqi Baathists loyal to secular Saddam Hussein and religiously fanatic al-Qaeda.
al-Saeedi, also known as Abu Humam or Abu Rana, told his captors that he has been "'responsible for more attacks than he can remember' and has been involved in the insurgency almost from its beginning three years ago," according to officials. al-Saeedi admitted that "Al Qaeda in Iraq was cooperating with supporters of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein 'in the fields of exchanging information and logistic support (as has been documented here and here).'"
Reporters and residents in Baghdad did not need the confessions of al-Saeedi to know who was behind much of the anti-civilian violence, as evidence of the intertwined trail of terror being left by the Saddam loyalists and al-Qaeda was becoming increasingly evident.
IWPR's Zaineb Naji recently wrote from Baghdad that local neighborhoods are reporting that Saddam Hussein loyalists and al-Qaeda/Salafists have been trying to violently implement Islamic law on local communities, to control and intimidate these areas, with the broader hopes of turning Iraq into an Islamic state (similar plans were also mentioned repeatedly by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi just before his death).
Omar, of "Iraq the Model's", recent trip in Baghdad brought him details of what locals have seen in their neighborhoods regarding the violence used on civilians by both al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein loyalists.
Before an attempt to travel home after a funeral, one of Omar's relatives told him and his father of al-Qaeda's growing local presence.
"At this point we began to realize the true identity of those young men and we began to believe that they became part of al-Qaeda" he said while describing the dangers of travelling locally. Omar's relative also relayed that "they belong to a few of the Sunni tribes and their chief is the son of former big head in Saddam's government."
Those who were most "efficient" at terrorizing Iraq for decades (Saddam Hussein's regime) are continuing to do so both directly (IED's, kidnappings, roadblocks, executions, etc) and indirectly via their continued support for al-Qaeda (logistical support, information, money, safehouses, etc.) wishing to set up a new version of fascism in Iraq, a Sunni Islamic state.
(Update #1)The Washington Post is now reporting that al-Saeedi is a former member of Saddam Hussein's Intelligence Services who have, rightfully, gained a reputation for strong links to terrorism pre and post invasion (H/T Laurie Mylroie).
(Update #2) Iraqi National Security Adviser Dr Muwaffaq al-Rubaie told the London Arabic publication Asharq Alawsat that "the country is facing difficult security circumstances due to the acts of terror being carried out by the Al-Qaeda along with Saddam's followers who seek to foment sectarian sedition. There are nearly no dividing lines between the political and field objectives of Al-Qaeda, of which the Arab nationals constitute 20 percent, and Saddam's followers who target government officials, politicians, Iraqi army forces, as well as security forces."
As has been noted on Regimeofterror.com on numerous occasions, al-Qaeda in Iraq and many of the remaining Saddam Hussein loyalists have become indistinguishable from one another in tactics, goals and enemies.
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