MEMRI: The Alleged Al-Qa'ida Statement of Responsibility for the Madrid Bombings

On March 12, 2004, the pro-Saddam pro-bin Laden London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi(1) published the alleged statement by the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades of Al-Qa'ida, in which the brigades claimed to be responsible for the March 11, 2004 bombings in Madrid.

It should be noted that the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades claimed responsibility for the August 2003 blackout in the U.S. (which was a large-scale technical failure), calling it "Operation Quick Lightning in the Land of the Tyrant of This Generation."(2)

"When you punish, punish them in the way they have punished you." (Qur'an 16:126)

"Kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they have driven you out; for internal strife [Fitna] is worse than killing." (Qur'an 2:191)

"Whoever attacks you, attack him in the same way that he attacked you, and trust Allah and know that Allah is with those who put their trust [in Him]." (Qur'an 2:194).

"In their last statement, of March 2, 2004 [on the bombings in Karbala and Baghdad] the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades promised that they were preparing for their upcoming operations, and behold, they are fulfilling their promise.

"The Death Brigades penetrated into the European Crusader heartland, and struck a painful blow at one of the foundations of the Crusader coalition. This is part of a settling of old accounts with Crusader Spain, the ally of the U.S., in its war against Islam...

"Where is America, Aznar? Who will protect you? Who will protect Britain? Who will protect Japan, Italy, and other agents? By striking at the Italian forces in Nasiriyya [Iraq], we sent you and America's agents a warning, demanding that you quit the coalition against Islam, but you did not get the message...

"Now we say it clearly, hoping that you [Aznar] will understand it this time. We at the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades are not sorry for the deaths of so-called civilians. Are they permitted to kill our children, our women, our elderly, and our youth in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, and Kashmir, and we are forbidden from killing them? Allah, may he be praised, said: 'Whoever attacks you, attack him in the same way that he attacked you' [Qur'an 2:194].

"Take your hands off us! Release our prisoners! Get out of our lands! Then we will leave you alone.

"The peoples of America's allies must pressure their government to withdraw immediately from their alliance with America [in its fight] against terror (Islam)... And if you renounce [fighting us], we too will stop fighting you.

"We say to you that the Death-Smoke Squad will reach you soon, and then you will see [i.e. count] your dead by the thousands, Allah willing, and this is a warning.

"In another operation, the Al-Quds Army Brigades struck the Jewish Masonic temple in Istanbul, and this was the main Masonic temple, and three of the greatest Masons were killed... Had it not been for the technical failure, all the Masons would have been killed. But for reasons of divine wisdom, only three were killed. Allah be praised.

"We announce to the Bilal [I]bn Rabah Squad(3) that headquarters has approved [its] proposal. When the emissary arrives, the work will begin. We announce to the Abu Ali Al-Harithi Squad(4) that headquarters has decided that Yemen will be the third swamp(5) [in which] America the Tyrant of This Generation [will sink], in order to discipline the [Yemeni] government which is collaborating [with the U.S.] and that has abandoned Islam and now ranks second to [Pakistani President Pervez] Musharraf. Therefore, all the squads must be placed on alert, so that the operation will begin at 4515 S.B... [sic]. Do not forget to strike to the death; do not forget Abu Ali Al-Harithi; do not forget Sheikh Abd Al-Qader Abd Al-'Aziz (Al-Sayyed, Imam Al-Sharif), the great sage who was arrested three months after the September [11] events, and was extradited by Yemen to Egypt.

"We say to those who killed the clerics of the Muslim Sunnis in Iraq to stop, or else... and we promise the Muslims in the world that the strike of the Winds of Black Death (the anticipated strike on America) is now in its last phase [of preparation]. [It is] 90% [complete], Allah willing... Soon (when it suits the Jihad warriors), the believers [i.e. Muslims] will rejoice at Allah's victory.

"A warning to the nations: Keep away from the civilian and military institutions of Crusader America and its allies. Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar. Islam is coming, reinforcing [the Muslims] and humiliating [the infidels].

"The Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades (Al-Qa'ida), Thursday, the 20th of Muharram, 1425, which is March 11, 2004.

The text of this statement includes linguistic usages and concepts that are incompatible with or alien to authentic Al-Qa'ida writings by Osama bin Laden, Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, and others. The following are some examples, in order of appearance:

* Following the Qur'an verses is the title "The Trains of Death Operation." This is uncommon in bin Laden's writing. Also, it is noteworthy that the phrase "Trains of Death" is not reiterated in the text as the name of the operation.

* "Settling old accounts," both as a linguistic form and as a concept, is alien to authentic Al-Qa'ida writings.

* The use of the concept of "agents" is taken from the vocabulary of nationalist ideology, while bin Laden and his followers relate to their enemies primarily as infidels.

* The phrase "but you did not get the message" is not one used by bin Laden, who does not cast his operations in the light of "messages," rather, as acts in and of themselves to further the goals of Al-Qa'ida for the sake of Allah. Thus, it follows that:

* The concept of conditionality, as in the statement "And if you renounce [fighting us], we too will stop fighting you" is not a bin Laden concept.

* The term "The Tyrant of the Generation" was used in the previous statement of alleged responsibility by the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades, for the August 2003 U.S. blackout - which was caused by a large-scale technical failure.

* In authentic Al-Qa'ida writings, the September 11 attacks are not referred to as "events" but as "raids" (the early Islamic term ghazwah).

* The announcement of an operation to begin at "4515 S.B." or reference to an operation that is "90% completed" is alien to bin Laden's scholarly Islamist style.

Endnotes: (1) Al-Quds Al-Arabi's editor, Abd Al-Bari 'Atwan, has in the past conducted an interview with Osama bin Laden, and praised him. See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 319, December 21, 2001, 'Terror in America Retrospective: A bin Laden Special on Al-Jazeera Two Months Before September 11,' http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP31901 . (2) See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 553, August 19, 2003, 'Al-Qa'ida Claims Responsibility for Last Week's Blackout,' http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP55303 . (3) One of the early companions of the Prophet Muhammad, an Ethiopian who remained loyal to the Prophet despite being tortured. (4) Ali Al-Harithi was an Al-Qa'ida operative eliminated in a targeted killing in Yemen. (5) That is, after Afghanistan and Iraq. (6) See MEMRI's Inquiry and Analysis 156, December 30, 2003, 'Assessing Islamist Web Site Reports Of Imminent Terror Attacks In The U.S.' http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=ia&ID=IA15603 .

Interesting article, though plunging aircraft into buildings wasn't their "style" either until Sep. 11.

I think we have to remember that an organization like al Qaeda is not hardened in cement. The fact that Osama bin Laden stopped sending videotaped messages in favor of audio-only, didn't mean he was dead, or that the messages weren't coming from al Qaeda. Bin Laden and Zawahiri are not tactical idiots. They will make adjustments for the purpose of survival.

That said, with al Qaeda reputedly on the verge of "cripple" status, one would think it imperative that not only a massive strike take place to prove otherwise, but also a claim of credit as well. This attack was "in your face". I think it entirely possible that there was some sort of collaboration with rogue units of the ETA. But to assume that this is strictly a "family" squabble in Madrid is utter folly.

I think that this old thread that another Freeper dug up, explains the situation:

In Spain: ETA and Al-Qaeda Forge New Anti-EU Alliance (2001)
New California Media ^ | October 1, 2001 | Paolo Pontoniere

Posted on 03/12/2004 6:21:05 AM PST by livius

In Spain: ETA and Al-Qaeda Forge New Anti-EU Alliance NCM Online, By Paolo Pontoniere, October 1, 2001

The Basque terrorist organization ETA and bin Laden's al-Qaeda cells have joined forces. Their shared goal: to organize and carry out an attack on the EU meeting scheduled for March 2002 in Barcelona, according to two Spanish publications, Tiempo and El Mundo.

According to the reports, which have been confirmed by Italian and French media, representatives of the two terrorist organizations have already met together three times in Brussels in December 2000; in Malaga, Spain in February 2001; and in Barcelona last July.

According to the European reports, the terrorists have planned a suicide attack on the meeting that would entail the use of five car bombs provided by ETA, and delivered by five al-Qaeda suicide drivers. European authorities consider this news credible, and have disclosed that Mohammed Atta--one of the terrorists responsible for the early September attack on the World Trade Center--may have also attended the July meeting between ETA and al-Qaeda in Barcelona.

In its report, Tiempo revealed that, thanks to a tip-off by US Navy intelligence, Spanish authorities were able to prevent another al-Qaeda attack last December. This one would have involved striking American aircraft carriers with suicide vessels filled with the deadly explosive C-4. The attack--like the assault on the USS Cole in a Yemeni port--was scheduled to take place as the two aircraft carriers would have readied to moor at NATO's Rota navy base near Cadiz. The suicide motor boats would have departed from the nearby coast of Morocco, a country with a significant Muslim population.

Spain, because of its proximity to Morocco and Algeria, has experienced a significant influx of Muslim immigrants. According to authorities, there are now about 500,000 Muslim immigrants living in Spain. Experts estimate that, among these emigres, are about 100 al-Qaeda agents ready at any moment to hit a Spanish or American target.

Since 1996, the Spanish police have formed a special unit dedicated to investigating the activities of these terrorists. In addition, Spanish prime minister José-Maria Azanar has pledged troops to any American-led coalition to fight international terrorism. Azanar has also allowed the US to use NATO navy bases in Rota and Moron to carry out air strikes against terrorist targets.

Although enjoying broad-based support at home for his commitment to the US, Azanar may find that his position could cause troubles for Spain abroad. In fact, neighboring Morocco, separated from Spain by the narrow strait of Gibraltar, is home to 4.5 million Islamic fundamentalists, who may become angered at Spain's generous support of America.

Such a development could push young Moroccan king Mohammed VI into the fray, forcing him to face Islamic fundamentalist terrorism, as in neighboring Algeria. There, the government has been embroiled in a bloody and protracted war with indigenous Islamic terrorists for years.

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