For Release Monday, May 31 - A Look at the New Generation of Terrorist Leaders

Former commander for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, 38-year-old Jordanian has links to terrorist groups from North Africa to Caucuses. Allegedly maintains ties to al-Qaida and believed to be leading resistance to Iraq's occupation.

CIA says Zarqawi was black-clad militant who decapitated American Nicholas Berg. Also believed to have had hand in March 11 bombings in Madrid, Spain, failed chemical attack in Jordan and numerous attacks in Iraq. U.S. authorities offering $10 million reward for his capture.

Leader of Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, 36-year-old Moroccan believed to have supervised March 11 bombings in Madrid that killed 191 people, acting as link between al-Zarqawi and cell of mostly Moroccan al-Qaida members. Azizi trained in Bosnia and Afghanistan and spent time in Iran. Recently indicted in Spain for allegedly helping plan Sept. 11 attacks on United States.

Both appear to be leading Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group operatives. Wanted for 2003 attacks in Casablanca and suspects in this year's Madrid bombings. Mejjati, 36, attended French school in Casablanca and comes from privileged background. Houssaini an explosives expert. Both among dozen dangerous Moroccan operatives still at large, authorities say.

Saudi dropout, 30, took command of al-Qaida's cell in Saudi Arabia when predecessor was killed in May 2003 shootout. Trained in Afghanistan, he claimed responsibility for a weekend assault by militant gunmen on Saudi Arabian oil industry compounds. At least 22 people, including an American, were killed. He also is believed to have been involved in attacks in May and November 2003 in Riyadh that killed 51 people. Not linked by authorities to May 1 attack in Yanbu that killed five Westerners and Saudi, but he issued statement praising attack.

In his 30s, was little known before Turkish authorities alleged he orchestrated November 2003 bombings in Istanbul that killed more than 60. Believed to have met bin Laden in Afghanistan in 2001 and received military and explosives training there.

Algerian in mid- to late-30s, has reputation for ruthlessness. Last year, took over leadership of North African Salafist Group for Call and Combat based in Algeria and pledged allegiance to bin Laden. Group drew recent attention by kidnapping Europeans.

Comorian, 30, alleged leader of East Africa's al-Qaida cell. Computer expert and skilled in languages. U.S. indictment in New York charged him with planning 1998 attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Kenyan police accused him of planning 2002 bombing of hotel and attempt to shoot down Israeli airliner.

U.S. government has $25 million bounty for his capture. Is on list of seven people just released by Justice Department in midst of new terror scare.

Kenyan said to be Fazul's No. 2. Kenyan police say he built bomb used at Kenyan hotel in 2002 and fired missile at Israeli airliner. He and Fazul believed to have fled from Kenya to Somalia following attacks, but seen visiting Kenya last year.

Educated in Islamic school and Arabic speaker, apparently trying to bring main faction of Philippines' al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf organization back to religious moorings. Reviving Islamic separatist group with recruits trained by foreign and Filipino insurgents in guerrilla warfare and urban bombings, according to ex-hostages, captured guerrillas and security officials.

Former biology student, Indonesian native one of few militants from Southeast Asia to have trained in Afghanistan. Stepped in late last year as operations chief of al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, replacing Hambali after his August arrest. Believed to be about 40, real name is Aris Sumarsono and he's called Daud by fellow militants.

DULMATIN Another top new Jemaah Islamiyah figure, 33-year-old Malaysian is electronics expert nicknamed "Genius." Believed to have designed bomb used in 2002 attack that killed more than 200 people on resort island of Bali. Reportedly used car salesman before turning to terrorism.

For Release Monday, May 31 A Look at the New Generation of Terrorist Leaders The Associated Press

U.S. government has $25 million bounty for his capture. Is on list of seven people just released by Justice Department in midst of new terror scare.

Thanks for info on these creeps. HOWEVER I have an important question...WHERE DO THEY GET ALL THE MONEY FOR TRAVEL IF THEY DO NOT WORK??? It is not cheap to buy airline tickets, bomb materials, meals on the road, etc. There is something we are not seeing about these terrrorists and that is they are being subsidized by SOMEONE OR SOME GROUP. This is not free what they are doing...we need to be finding out where their money is coming from. Osama bin laden's royal family in Saudi Arabia has cut him off financially after 9/11 or so they say. I am curious as to how so many 100's of terrorists are supporting their Jihad over so many miles of travel and no income, since women do not go to school, work or socialize. WHERE IS MONEY COMING FROM??

Well, I'll give you 2 big sources....Saudi (not all the terrorists are connected to bin Laden) and Iran (bin Laden's supposed source)

It does not make sense that they are getting Saudi Oil money, since they are trying to bring down oil industry in Saudi Arabia to cripple world economy (esp US) via these kidnappings as they claim.. That would defeat their purpose by stopping their own flow of money..I don't see that. Anyone else have an opinion ??
Also Sadaam has no more power to give them money as he is in prison. The Iraqi government is not funding them now that Sadaam's people are no longer in power either. Sadaam's millions were found by American soldiers...millions of cash in one of his houses earlier this year.

You mentioned Iran, how are they getting the money from Iranian government do you think??? Isn't there a push in Iran through huge protests for a democratic type of government. How much oil production does Iran have?? Do you think Osama bin laden is in Iran? I believe in beginning, IMHO, that Osama was in Somolia and not Afghanistan because of the Al Queda group involved in Black Hawk incident. I believe he felt we would not suspect him to be there, and our government didn't. A tape can be sent by messenger from anywhere. I have no proof for any of my beliefs, so don't think I have answer.

However I believe now, personally, that he has moved closer as war has progressed from Afghanistan to Iraq; especially since Sadaam's capture
.
Anyone else care to speculate on Osama bin laden's whereabouts?

How are they getting money from Iran? They get on the phone and call someone. Iranian regime supports Hezbollah and Hamas, among others. Everyone knows. It's assumed by the White House and others that they support bin Laden. I'm sure there are more. It's certainly possible that Osama is in Iran. I think it's been most people's assumption that he's been there for at least a little while in the past year or so. He could be on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border, too.
I don't know in barrels/day how much oil Iran has......A whole lot, I know that. And do a 'booming' business in natural gas, too.

The Saudis mostly are Wahhabi. The wahhabi believe that they practice the truest form of Islam and that evryone else should practice it too.They don't like the ways of the western world and they want everyone to become muslim. In order to further that cause, the Saudi royal family backed wahhabi radicals and terrorists. Now, those radicals and terrorists, have decided that the Saudi Royals are too friendly with U.S. and don't adhere to the wahhabi laws as they should. Guess they think they're 'slackers'. So, now, they're coming after the Royal family. But the family is HUGE. Some have denounced the terrorists, others not.

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