Even though this did not get its own headline, and was buried at the bottom of another new story, it sure is positive news.

A high-ranking member of al Qaeda in Iraq, known as the “Butcher,” was captured by local citizens and turned over to the U.S. military and Iraqi forces, the U.S. military said.

Amir Khalaf Fanus was wanted in connection with several killings and kidnappings and was No. 3 on the most-wanted list of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team that patrols the area west of Baghdad.

Local citizens brought him to a base in the city of Ramadi, in the Sunni Triangle about 60 miles west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

Further details were not available.

“His capture is another indication that the local citizens tire of the insurgents’ presence within their community,” the U.S. military said in a written statement. “Iraqi and U.S. forces have witnessed increasing signs of citizens fighting the terrorists within Ramadi as the December 15 national elections draw nearer.”

Security in Ramadi has recently been bolstered by the addition of 1,200 Iraqi security-force soldiers, a move the Pentagon hopes will enable Iraq forces to take over more security operations.

Al Qaeda in Iraq is the terrorist group headed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most-wanted man in Iraq, who has a $25 million reward for his head. His group has carried out numerous bomb attacks on local Iraqis, U.S. forces and Iraqi forces.

The group also has perpetrated multiple kidnappings that have resulted in the beheadings of the victims.

It was not immediately known if Fanus might have information on al-Zarqawi’s whereabouts.