Al Qaida Leaders Flee Iraq's Diyala

BAGHDAD [MENL] -- The U.S. military has assessed that Al Qaida commanders
were fleeing the Diyala province for nearby areas in northern Iraq.
Officials said several Al Qaida network commanders have fled from Diyala
for the Tigris River Valley. They said the flight was sparked by an
intensification of U.S. and Iraqi operations in the province in July and
August 2008.
"Intelligence reports indicate that several AQI [Al Qaida in Iraq]
leaders in Diyala have fled the province in response to Iraqi and coalition
operations there, resurfacing in the Tigris River Valley, where terrorist
organization has reportedly been faltering," the U.S. military said.