Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti, a close aide and cousin of Saddam Hussein, was arrested due to his prominent role within the Iraqi regime. Several significant events led to his capture:

1. Fall of Saddam Hussein's Regime: The 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States and coalition forces led to the collapse of Saddam Hussein's government. As the regime fell, key figures, including Mahmud, became targets for capture due to their involvement in the regime's activities and potential knowledge of weapons of mass destruction.

2. U.S. Military Operations: After the fall of Baghdad, U.S. forces intensified efforts to capture high-ranking members of Saddam's inner circle. Mahmud was listed as the fourth most-wanted Iraqi official after Saddam Hussein, his sons Uday and Qusay, due to his position as the presidential secretary and his close ties to Saddam.

3. Intelligence and Cooperation: The capture of Mahmud was facilitated by intelligence operations and cooperation with local informants. His arrest on June 16, 2003, was a result of a coordinated effort by U.S. Special Forces, who relied on actionable intelligence regarding his whereabouts.

4. Role in the Regime: Mahmud's significant role in Saddam's regime, including his oversight of security and intelligence operations, made him a key figure for the coalition forces to capture. His knowledge of the regime's inner workings was considered valuable for understanding the structure and operations of Saddam's government.

These events collectively contributed to the arrest of Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti, marking a significant point in the efforts to dismantle the remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime.