Leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al Masri Vows 30 Day Offensive Against U.S.
April 19, 2008 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
A man claiming to be the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq vowed in an audiotape released Saturday to launch a monthlong offensive against U.S. troops.
There was no independent confirmation that the voice belonged to Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, but it sounded exactly like the one heard on previous audiotapes.
Al-Muhajir has been the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq since his predecessor Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike northeast of Baghdad in 2006.
“We call on our beloved ones … that each unit should present the head of an American as a gift to the charlatan Bush … in addition to one of the apostate servants and slaves of the awakening (councils) during a one-month period,” he said in the tape, posted on an Internet site known for its militant contents.
He made clear that the 30-day period begins from the day of the audiotape’s release.
The release of the tape follows a series of deadly attacks that have raised fears of a possible Al Qaeda in Iraq resurgence. Militants have targeted members of the awakening councils, Sunni Arab tribesmen and former insurgents who changed sides and are now fighting Al Qaeda alongside U.S. forces.
I thought this guy was dead from Hepatitus C. Was he in sleeper mode or is he really dead?
Another thought is that while alive the al queda tapes messages for if and when they die to give the appearance of being alive and strong, but really are dead… This could tie up some loose ends on who is dead in AQ land…