Zarqawi 'harder to catch' than Saddam. 21/11/2004. ABC News Online
Iraqi insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is harder to catch than Saddam Hussein but the chances may have improved since he fled Fallujah, a US general says.
General Ray Odierno was part of the team who captured Saddam, after the ousting of his government last year.
He says that Zarqawi, an ally of Al Qaeda, has a well-organised guerrilla network moving him between hide-outs.
However, he says that US defeat of insurgents in Fallujah could have disrupted Zarqawi's co-ordination because he lost his main base.
"I think (with) Saddam, after the fall, there was no organisation, he was fleeing for his life, whereas I think Zarqawi is a little more organised... he has a more organised group around him than Saddam Hussein," Gen Odierno said.
"That's what makes it a bit more difficult with Zarqawi."
Zarqawi is believed to have escaped the insurgency's epicentre despite a US offensive that wrested control of Fallujah from his group.
"It's probably easier now (to catch him)," Gen Odierno said.
Zarqawi's group has claimed responsibility for hostage beheadings and some of Iraq's bloodiest suicide attacks.
He has declared his allegiance to Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network and is the number one target as US-led forces seek to pacify the country before January election.
Iraqi insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is harder to catch than Saddam Hussein but the chances may have improved since he fled Fallujah, a US general says.
General Ray Odierno was part of the team who captured Saddam, after the ousting of his government last year.
He says that Zarqawi, an ally of Al Qaeda, has a well-organised guerrilla network moving him between hide-outs.
However, he says that US defeat of insurgents in Fallujah could have disrupted Zarqawi's co-ordination because he lost his main base.
"I think (with) Saddam, after the fall, there was no organisation, he was fleeing for his life, whereas I think Zarqawi is a little more organised... he has a more organised group around him than Saddam Hussein," Gen Odierno said.
"That's what makes it a bit more difficult with Zarqawi."
Zarqawi is believed to have escaped the insurgency's epicentre despite a US offensive that wrested control of Fallujah from his group.
"It's probably easier now (to catch him)," Gen Odierno said.
Zarqawi's group has claimed responsibility for hostage beheadings and some of Iraq's bloodiest suicide attacks.
He has declared his allegiance to Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network and is the number one target as US-led forces seek to pacify the country before January election.
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