Counterterrorism Blog

In the run-up to the much anticipated Iraqi national elections, Al-Qaida's local outfit--led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi--has dramatically increased its targeting of influential Iraqi government officials, potential candidates in the election, and anyone else associated with the electoral process.  The group has issued new statements in the last two weeks taking credit for--among other things--multiple high-profile assassinations and kidnappings, including the murders of Baghdad governor Ali al-Haydari, deputy Baghdad police Chief Amer Ali Nayif, and the Iraqi director of "Elections Center #28." 

UPDATE: Abu Omar al-Saif, a respected Saudi Al-Qaida operative and top spokesman for the Islamic Army of the Caucasus, has also now weighed in on the Iraqi elections--quipping, "Ruling in Islam is for Allah only and not for the people or anyone else."  For those unfamiliar with Abu Omar al-Saif, I recommend viewing my Islamic Army of the Caucasus leadership chart.

Click to view English translations of recent statements:

-         Jan. 10         assassination of Baghdad Deputy Police Chief Amer
        - Jan.         11 suicide bomb attack on Iraqi police in         Tikrit
        - Jan. 11         twin suicide bomb attacks in the city of Basrah
        - Jan.         11         alleged kidnapping of Iyad         Allawi spokesman
-                 Jan. 12 firefights in         Ar-Ramadi and Baghdad
-         Jan.         13 claim of Jan. 12 assassination of Iraqi colonel
        - Jan. 13                 assassination of Iraqi         director of elections center
-         Jan. 13         suicide bomb attacks and ambushes in Mosul