New Audio from Leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq (updated)
By Andrew Cochran
New audio tape from Abu Hamza al-Muhajir - Laura Mansfield has the original tape here. Rita Katz of the SITE Institute has an analysis: "The speech, 20:31 in length, is titled: “Come to a Word that is Just Between Us and You,” which is taken from the Qur’an, Surah al-Imran, verse 64. On the occasion of the month of Ramadan, al-Muhajir calls upon every “free Mujahid” to come to Iraq and engage in jihad, which the emir hopes to increase in ferocity. He states: “It pleases me at the end of my speech to announce the beginning of a great militaristic campaign by the name of the clear conquest, by it we will eradicate the limb of the infidel and the apostate”. In the middle of the speech, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir reminds of the “Blind Sheikh,” Omar Abdul Rahman, and encourages the Mujahideen to capture some of the “Roman dogs” so as to secure his release from the “darkness of his prison, gratitude, loyalty and love.” He then calls upon the sheikhs of the Sunni tribes in Iraq to not slacken in their support for the Mujahideen and thanks them for their public stance, finance and men."
Al Qaeda has lost a number of key operatives recently and is under attack by a group of Sunni leaders, so this could be a pep talk to his forces. It could also be timed to coincide with the next tape from Al Qaeda #2 Ayman al-Zawahiri (UPDATE: That release appears imminent as of noon ET).