Which Al Qaeda suspect was arrested in Pakistan? A number of news reports Sunday stated that American Adam Yahiye Gadahn, an Al Qaeda spokesman who appeared in a video this weekend calling on Muslims in the US to attack America, had been captured in a raid in Karachi, Pakistan. However, Pakistani and American officials later said they believed that it was not Gadahn who had been captured but Abu Yahya Mujahdeen al-Adam, who, according to the New York Times , was believed to have been born in Pennsylvania and involved with Al Qaeda operations in Afghanistan, though it was unclear whether or not he was an American.
Why the conflicting reports? Blame the resemblance of of al-Adam’s name to one of Gadahn’s aliases, according to the AP:
“The resemblance of the name initially caused confusion but now they have concluded he is not Gadahn,” said an intelligence officer, who like all Pakistani intelligence agents does not allow his name to be used. “He feels proud to be a member of al-Qaida.”
U.S. Embassy spokesman Rick Snelsire said the embassy had not been informed of any American being arrested.
A senior U.S military intelligence official said Monday the man arrested does not appear to be Gadahn. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive Pakistani operations.
On Sunday, two intelligence officers and a senior government official identified the detained man as Gadahn and said he was arrested in recent days. They, too, spoke on condition of anonymity. The government official said his name could not be used because of the sensitivity of the information. None of those officials were available for comment Monday.
The U.S. has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Gadahn’s arrest. He is the first American wanted for treason in over half a century.
