Caputured Al-Qaeda Map key to a Safer Baghdad

A map drawn by Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and captured by U.S. forces was instrumental in helping reduced the terrorist groups attacks in Baghdad the Courier-Mail reported today:

Zarqawi was killed in June 2006 but the turning point came in December when the map was found in a safe house.

It gave US war planners insight into the terror network's methods for moving explosives, fighters and money.

"The map essentially laid out how Al-Qaeda controlled Baghdad," Major-General Bob Scales said.

"They did it through four belts that surrounded the city, and these belts controlled access to the city for reinforcements and weapons and money."

US-led forces reduced these belts one at a time and choked off Al-Qaeda's access to the city.