BAGHDAD, Iraq, Sept. 28, 2006
'Month Of Holy War' Encouraged In Iraq
Al Qaeda In Iraq Leader Brags Of Foreign Support, Urges Ramadan Attacks
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Play CBS Video Video Tape Calls Muslims To Battle An audio tape recently posted on an Islamic Web site urged Muslims to turn Ramadan into a "month of holy war," urging them to kidnap Westerners and U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Charlie D'Agata reports.
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People examine a car in which an Iraqi anti-crime corps police officer was killed on Baghdad's central al-Rasheed street, Wednesday Sept. 27 2006. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
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Iraqi and U.S. troops stand near the wreckage of car bomb near the Abu Tibeekh restaurant in Sadoun Street in central Baghdad Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006. Five people were killed and another 34 wounded in the blast. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
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Iraqis view the site of a car bomb explosion that killed three civilians and a policeman next to a police patrol in Baghdad, Tuesday Sept.26, 2006. (AP Photo/Samir Mizban)
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Iraqis view the site of the car bomb explosion next to the police patrol. (AP Photo/Samir Mizban)
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Who's Who Iraq Insurgency More on the militant groups behind the insurgency in Iraq and their motivations.
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
"The blood has been spilled in Iraq of more than 4,000 foreigners who came to fight," said the man, who identified himself as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir - also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri - the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, though the voice could not be independently identified.
The Arabic word he used indicated he was speaking about foreigners who joined the insurgency in Iraq, not coalition troops.
He also told Muslims on the recording that their holy month should be turned into what he calls a "month of holy war."
Ramadan began last weekend across the Muslim world.
Al-Masri appealed directly to insurgents in Iraq, urging them to take Westerners prisoner.
"I appeal to every holy warrior in the land of Iraq to exert all efforts in this holy month so that God may enable us to capture some of the Western dogs to swap them with our sheik and get him out of his dark prison," the voice said.
He was referring to the blind Egyptian sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, imprisoned in the United States since 1995 for conspiring to blow up New York City landmarks.
Al-Masri is believed to have succeeded Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who died in a U.S. airstrike north of Baghdad in June.
CBS News translator Khaled Wassef, whose job entails the constant monitoring of a plethora of Web sites where militants frequently post text, audio and video detailing their global operations, said the claim of 4,000 dead fighters is more important in symbolism than in quantity.
Wassef explained that al Qaeda in Iraq was likely demonstrating their ability to draw small armies of fighters from around the Muslim world into Iraq to wage Jihad against the coalition forces, and furthermore, the apparent ease with which those fighters can enter the country.
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- Well, either an idiot or an al qaeda operative (by your logic).
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- It's in the USA Today version of the same AP article. In fact, you'll find the quote in the unedited version of the AP article at AP.org. Need a link? http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_AUDIOTAPE?SITE=VABRM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
The person who is so paranoid that he thinks government operatives are writing comments on blogs to make people vote Republican must be an idiot. - Reply to this comment
- I have watched the video of this and no where does it state that they are in "dire need" of recruitments for Al Queda . The person who claimed this must be one of Rove's political machine.Distorting the facts for fear of the truth.The truth is all external and internal polls (both parties) show the democratic party taking back control of congress.And as much as this idiot in charge of Al Queda claims this is not a holy war.I know many muslims who deplore Al Queda and I know many republicans who are going to vote Democrat.Sorry Rove's political machine operatives ,your tactics will not work this year.Just remember folks 2 things,cut and run is not an option and get out and vote Democrat.
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- Really, you meant these people are motivated by their religion...no way. You mean these peole want to kill us because of "Holy War", not because of political gain? Well that might explain why Muslims a reeking havoc in over 17 countries.
Look at the Koran that promotes "A Life of Holy War" - Reply to this comment
- "We are in dire need of you."
This is perhaps the most important quote of the entire video, and CBS left it out of the article. Even al qaeda doubts the National Intelligence Estimate. They're not growing; they're barely surviving. - Reply to this comment
- This is going to help the spread of democracy a lot.
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- Is this the way muslims want to expand their religion to the world? Who is the God of Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish; the same of Prophet Mohamed?
Let us pray God on this Ramadan so He let all iraquis experience His mercy and love and establish brotherhood in the area, and in the world. - Reply to this comment
- Holy war , hard to believe.
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