NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence analysts believe Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) is more likely to be alive than dead, a conclusion bolstered in recent weeks by intercepted communications among Saddam loyalists, The New York Times reported on Friday, citing government officials.
The newspaper quoted unnamed military officials as saying the hunt for Saddam, who disappeared during the U.S.-led war that ousted his regime, had intensified and new operations had begun to find him. A secret U.S. military group, known as Task Force 20, was leading the hunt, the newspaper said.
The renewed belief that Saddam had survived the war stemmed from intercepted discussions between members of the Saddam Fedayeen paramilitary unit and of Saddam's intelligence service, the Times quoted the officials as saying.
The intercepts indicated that Saddam was alive and needed to be protected, the newspaper said.
The United States said on Wednesday it had captured one of Saddam's closest aides, Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti, who was often at the side of the deposed Iraqi ruler. Mahmud now faces tough interrogation on the whereabouts of Saddam.
The newspaper quoted unnamed military officials as saying the hunt for Saddam, who disappeared during the U.S.-led war that ousted his regime, had intensified and new operations had begun to find him. A secret U.S. military group, known as Task Force 20, was leading the hunt, the newspaper said.
The renewed belief that Saddam had survived the war stemmed from intercepted discussions between members of the Saddam Fedayeen paramilitary unit and of Saddam's intelligence service, the Times quoted the officials as saying.
The intercepts indicated that Saddam was alive and needed to be protected, the newspaper said.
The United States said on Wednesday it had captured one of Saddam's closest aides, Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti, who was often at the side of the deposed Iraqi ruler. Mahmud now faces tough interrogation on the whereabouts of Saddam.
