Posted on 12/11/2005 11:47:27 AM PST by Valin
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Osama bin Laden's deputy, in a new tape that surfaced Sunday, urged all Muslims to take up arms and said their refusal to join the fight against "the Cross and Zionism" was a "malignant illness" that would only lead to the defeat of militant Islam. Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri said the global Islamic community had "no hope for victory" until all Muslims signed on to the al-Qaida-led jihad. "As long as this malignant illness continues to survive within us, there is no hope for victory and there can only be more defeats, tragedies, disasters and betrayals," al-Zawahri said.
His fiery comments appeared in a 48 minute tape entitled Impediments to Jihad. The video portion of the tape was a still photo of a white-turbaned al-Zawahri with English subtitles running under it. The audio on the tape appeared to be his voice speaking Arabic. The tape was believed to have been made at about the same time as a Sept. 19 video attributed to al-Zawahri, according to Ben Venzke, chief executive of Intelcenter, a U.S. government contractor that obtained the tape.
It was impossible to immediately verify the authenticity of the tape. IntelCenter declined to say how it obtained the recording, citing confidentiality agreements with the U.S. government. But Venzke said it was produced by al-Sahab Media Production House, a purported al-Qaida media organization, and expanded on al-Zawahri's Sept. 19 message, which gave increased prominence to the Taliban. "This latest one even goes beyond that with al-Zawahri pledging allegiance to the Taliban," he said. "The whole thing is an address to Muslims, saying armed jihad and struggle is the only way and that they have to suffer to do it."
Al-Zawahri credits toppled Taliban leader Mullah Omar with leading a three-year campaign "against the Crusaders and apostates in Afghanistan" and purportedly taking control of "extensive parts of eastern and western Afghanistan." Mullah Omar is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, where Taliban forces continue to launch regular attacks, but do not control large swaths of territory.
U.S.-led forces toppled the hardline Taliban regime in late 2001 when it refused to turn over al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and to stop providing a haven to the group after the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States. "When the Taliban and their helpers were forced to leave the cities and take to the mountains, the Islamic Emirate (of Afghanistan) did not fall nor did its troops fall into disarray, nor did its leadership fall apart," al-Zawahri said. "Instead, it began a fierce campaign of guerrilla warfare and martyrdom (suicide) operations."
The latest tape was also a rallying call to Muslims to attack Western interests everywhere to help stave off "defeat" for Islamic extremists. Al-Zawahri specifically cited as examples of militant activities the Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip, insurgent warfare against U.S. troops in Iraq and the Sept. 11 attacks by 19 plane hijackers. "The key to victory is in our hands, and in turn, the primary cause of defeat is in ourselves," it said.
Al-Zawahri also criticized the lack of support for al-Qaida-linked militants in Saudi Arabia, saying the mujahedeen had suffered "defeat" in Saudi authorities' a high-profile campaign against militants. "These idolatrous regimes achieve victory over us because each one of us wants to save his own skin and avoid harm for himself," al-Zawahri said on the tape. Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of bin Laden, has suffered multiple bombings and attacks since 2003 and has since waged a fierce crackdown against militants.
Al-Zawahri and bin Laden are believed to be hiding in the mountains along the Pakistani-Afghanistan border. Pakistani troops are co-operating with the United States in the search for the pair.
The terrorists are getting DESPERATE!
MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch Series - No. 1044: "NEWLY-RELEASED VIDEO OF AL-QAEDA'S DEPUTY LEADER AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI'S INTERVIEW TO AL-SAHAB TV" (NOTE: "EXCERPTS OF THE VIDEO ARE POSTED IN TWO PARTS ON MEMRITV: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=951 & http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=952 ") (December 8, 2005)
INTERNET-HAGANAH.US: "ZAWAHIRI INTERVIEWED BY AL-SAHAB" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "This is reportedly the complete version of something that was first seen in September. Links for download will be found here: http://www.alferdaws.org/leqa/ The first two links demonstrate yet again how archive.org is becoming a main point of distribution for al-Qaida related propaganda and communications: http://www.archive.org/download/alsahab4/dr1final.mpg http://ia300240.us.archive.org/3/items/alsahab4/dr1final.mpg ") (December 7, 2005)
I think we've all heard this argument, but it begs the question: "If the (Musharraf) Government of Pakistan has no/very little control over the Tribal areas, why should they mind if we conduct military (i.e. ground) operations there?"
"You can say some of the tribes are harboring Al Qaida, but not the national government."
Well then, "some of the tribes" meet Bush's criteria stated 9/20/2001 for being our enemy, for harboring terrorists.
It should make no difference if the form of government is nation-state, or ancient tribal control.
In terms of international law, they are within Pakistan's borders, and therefore is accountable and responsible for their harboring activities.
Why not use greater pressure on Pakistan to act? Do we just let Pakistan off the hook, with the excuse they cannot do anything?
bttt
""These idolatrous regimes achieve victory over us because each one of us wants to save his own skin and avoid harm for himself," al-Zawahri said on the tape."
Stark illustration of zawahiri, bin laden, and zarqawi. Note that they exhort others to martyrdom while they hide. Their hypocrisy and cowardice is becoming clear to the masses, I surmise, as evidenced by the surrender of a "high-ranking" al qaeda figure in Ramadi, Iraq, last week. We are winning the war against islamism, we need to keep the pressure on worldwide.
Perhaps because Murtha and the dems have been cheerleading for him.
Oops, and the GOP called their bluff.
Too bad for them the GOP is treating this disease.
"May piss be upon them."
Swine piss. May swine piss be upon them. May swine piss rain down abundantly upon them.
And what "mentality" would you be referring to?
Since the Z man is whining that the muslims are NOT joining the fight apparently Bush's tactics are working.
He is NOT going to talk like us and ensure that all muslims are our enemies. We know how f'ed up the whole religion is but must also recognize that we are in need of allies from it. Most of those dying in this fight for a new Middle East are muslims. This should not be forgotten.
Put your anger aside and look at the bigger picture.
Headline:
ZARQAWI Calls for Muslims to Save Jihadi Bacon!
There that's better.
You need to learn more about Pakistan. We will not nor should not do anything which could lead to the fall of that government and give control of its nukes to the terrorists.
Mushareff has been a good ally and must operate with the knowledge that many of his country men are anti-US. This requires a delicate balancing act which constrains our freedom of action.
Those who understand the dementia called Islam are not bigots merely some who have actually read the Koran and learned the lessons of its history. At some point this "religion" will have to be taken head on but now is not the time.
You are fooling yourself if you believe this is just another religion. Its origins show that it was nothing more holy than Al Capone's methods of operation though Big Al was far less blood-thirsty and violent.
Your right! That's why we see blood running in the streets of Flint Mi. That's why Muslims in Malaysia, Indonesia hand the Islamist parties their heads in the last elections, that's why we see Muslims in Iraq & Afghanistan fighting other Muslim along side infidel Americans.
Now I believe it's a false religion, and wish they (along with everyone else) were Christian, BUT spouting this kind of "Kill the the ragheads"....etc does nothing but give aid and comfort to the terrorists.
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