Group Says al-Qaida No. 2 Mocks New U.S. Surge Strategy for Iraq in New Videotape
Ayman al-Zawahri speaks to the press in this 1998 photo taken in Khost, Afghanistan and made available Friday March 19, 2004. Al-Qaida's deputy leader mocked President Bush's plan to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, challenging him to send "the entire army," according to a new al-Qaida videotape released Monday by a U.S. group that tracks terror messages. (AP Photo/Mazhar Ali Khan, FILE)
By NADIA ABOU EL-MAGD
CAIRO, Egypt Jan 23, 2007 (AP)— Al-Qaida's deputy leader mocked President Bush's plan to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, challenging him to send "the entire army," according to a new al-Qaida videotape released Monday by a U.S. group that tracks terror messages.
Excerpts from the video were distributed by the Washington-based SITE Institute, which said it had intercepted the footage of Ayman al-Zawahri. The tape had not yet been posted on Islamic militant Web sites, where his messages are usually placed.
Al-Zawahri said the U.S. strategy for Iraq, outlined by Bush in a Jan. 9 speech, was doomed to fail.
"I ask him, why send 20,000 (troops) only why not send 50 or 100 thousand? Aren't you aware that the dogs of Iraq are pining for your troops' dead bodies?" said al-Zawahri in the footage released by SITE, an independent group that researches and analyzes terror-related intelligence.
"So send your entire army to be annihilated at the hands of the mujahideen (holy warriors) to free the world from your evil," he said, "because Iraq, land of the Caliphate and Jihad, is able to bury ten armies like yours, with Allah's help and power." (Hey, let's all say thanks to america for creating the mujahideen)
In the video which showed al-Zawahri in a full gray beard and wearing a white turban, in front of a black backdrop Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant said it was the "duty" of all Muslims to take up arms against the enemies of Islam or support those who do.
SITE did not elaborate on how it received the video and it wasn't immediately possible to confirm its authenticity. U.S. intelligence had no immediate comment. CIA normally analyzes tapes once they air to determine whether they are authentic.
In the excerpt about 90 seconds from the 14-minute tape the Egyptian militant appeared more sedate than in past videos, not wagging his finger as he often does.
The message was the first reaction from al-Qaida's leadership to the new Iraq strategy. The U.S. has said the extra troops aim to crack down on al-Qaida fighters and other Sunni Arab insurgents in Iraq, as well as Shiite militiamen blamed in the country's spiraling sectarian violence=violence=violence=violence=violence.
And all the people said BU*SH*IT!
