re: Have the bigwigs fled?
I think they blew town a while ago, but they left behind a lot of their people and a hell of a lot of munitions and bomb material. One common characteristic of terror leaders seems to be a great unwillingness to expose themselves to danger.
The good news is that while they are moving, they are very vulnerable. And I dare say after Fallujah, they aren't going to get the warmest welcome in some other town.