October 18, 2004

Zarqawi Movement Vows al-Qaida Allegiance

The militant group led by terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, believed to be behind many deadly attacks in Iraq, has declared its allegiance to Osama bin Laden, citing the need for unity against "the enemies of Islam."
[Dare we hope that this means the "insurgents" aren't doing so hot in Iraq? I think so!--Jen]
[...]
The statement ran a Quranic verse encouraging Muslim unity and said al-Zarqawi considered bin Laden "the best leader for Islam's armies against all infidels and apostates."
[This includes just about everyone on the planet that isn't a Sunni Waahab!]

The Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi is suspected of about a dozen high-profile attacks in Iraq, including last year's bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, and the beheading of numerous foreign hostages.

His relationship to bin Laden and the al-Qaida leadership has long been the subject of considerable speculation. Although many experts believe al-Zarqawi had longtime ties to al-Qaida, others suspected that al-Zarqawi considered himself a rival to bin Laden for the mantle of chief defender of the Muslim faith.
[Hmmm...
Are we talking rivals for the title of Kalipha?
I hadn't heard this theory about Zarqawi before.
Must be a Muslim "thang."
I thought that Zarqawi has been on Osama's team all along, but according to the Baghdad Broadcasting System, that's an American "thang:"

[...]
The next stop on his [Zarqawi's] itinerary was his old stamping ground - Afghanistan.

He is believed to have set up a training camp in the western city of Herat, near the border with Iran.

Students at his camp supposedly became experts in the manufacture and use of poison gases.

It is during this period that Zarqawi is thought to have renewed his acquaintance with al-Qaeda.

He is believed to have fled to Iraq in 2001 after losing a leg in a US missile strike on his Afghan base.

US officials argue that it was at al-Qaeda's behest that he moved to Iraq and established links with Ansar al-Islam - a group of Kurdish Islamists from the north of the country.]

The Bush administration said it was still trying to confirm the report.

"But we've always said there were ties between Zarqawi and al-Qaida, which underscores once again why Iraq is the central front in the war on terror," White House spokesman Trent Duffy said in Washington. "It's also proof positive of why the president's firm resolve to fight terrorists overseas so we don't face them in America's neighborhoods is the only clear way to prevail."
[This will definitely put the "no links between Iraq and AQ" folks on the Left, especially the Dems, on the sidelines, although I expect them to say that it was U.S. military action in Iraq that "drove" Zarqawi to join with OBL.
Don't believe a word of it!--J.T.]

The statement affirmed the "allegiance of Tawhid and Jihad's leadership and soldiers to the chief of all fighters, Osama bin Laden." It said the announcement had been timed for the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan when "Muslims need more than ever to stick together in the face of the religion's enemies."
[...]
Al-Zarqawi also was indicted in absentia Sunday in his native Jordan along with 12 other alleged Muslim militants on charges of plotting a chemical attack that could have killed thousands of people.
[Surely those weren't chemicals from Saddam's stockpile?!]
[...]
It appeared the announcement was aimed at enabling al-Zarqawi, who has a background as a common criminal, to profit from bin Laden's stature among radical Muslims.

Bin Laden, believed to be hiding in Afghanistan or in the border areas of Pakistan,
[There are also rumors that he's being kept safe in Iran and other people say he's in China.]
has faded somewhat from public view and recent declarations by al-Qaida's leadership have been made by his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri.

My fervent hope is that Zarqawi isn't vowing allegiance to OBL because there's going to be another big attack--either here in the U.S. or in Iraq, for which they want Osama and AQ to get the ultimate credit.
As much as Zarqawi's group have stepped up attacks for the start of Ramadan, they're also keeping an eye on our elections, and hoping for another Madrid situation, i.e. AQ stages a huge attack before the election, Bush is blamed and largely because of that, Kerry is elected.
Very scary stuff indeed.
I can't wait until the election's over--not only am I ready to re-elect President Bush, but I'm so sick of Kerry and Edwards, and then worrying about another terror attack on top of this very nasty election (at least on the part of the Democrats) is just too much!
Needless to say, I'm praying a lot these days and nights.
Join me!