Snowden Archive
——
The SIDtoday
Files
Browse the Archive

SIGINT Leads to Capture of al-Qa’ida Terrorist

SUMMARY

The CIA passed on kudos to SID for a key role in capture of Al Qaeda operative Umar Baziyani in Iraq. SIGINT elements helped geolocate the terrorist, who was using internet cafes in Baghdad.

DOCUMENT’S DATE

Jul 12, 2004

PUBLICLY AVAILABLE

Feb 05, 2018

TAGS

Iraq

1/1
Download
Page 1 from SIGINT Leads to Capture of al-Qa’ida Terrorist
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL (S//SI) SIGINT Leads to Capture of al-Qa'ida Terrorist FROM: SIGINT Communications Unknown Run Date: 07/12/2004 (TS//SI//REL) The CIA recently passed on kudos to SIGINTers for playing a key role in the May 30th capture of an al-Qa'ida operative. The terrorist, named Umar Baziyani, had served as a close aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, helping to direct a series of attacks on U.S. and allied forces in Iraq. Several SIGINT elements helped geolocate Baziyani who, like other al-Qa'ida members, was using Internet cafes in Baghdad to communicate. SIGINTers effectively combined information gathered across accesses and environments to support this capture. New uses of SIGINT data, including metadata, also played an essential role. (TS//SI//REL) The following SIGINT organizations, in particular, made great contributions to this operation: Network Analysis Center (NAC - S31SD) Counterterrorism Product Line (S2I) Commercial Technologies (S3A) Tailored Access Operations (S32) Link Access Programs (S33) KEYSCORE (R1, MHS) CSG Baghdad (TS//SI//REL) The CIA would like to pursue all opportunities to incorporate SIGINT -- in near real-time -- into tactical HUMINT operations. The SIGINT information can be passed to teams on the ground who are responsible for surveilling and capturing terrorists who use the internet, thereby painting "as timely and accurate a picture of the virtual battleground" as possible. "(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)." DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108