Internet Jihadis Don't Believe al Masri Was Arrested, Attack Al Arabiya

Members of militant Islamist Internet forums posted numerous messages in reaction to the news that the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq Abu Ayyub al Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al Muhajer, had been arrested.

"Be ware brothers…of any news about arrests. Know that this is an intelligence strategy started by Al Arabiya to monitor communications," said one post. Forum members said they will await a statement by the Islamic State of Iraq about the matter. They also posted reports about the U.S. military official denying a Masri was arrested.

"Brothers, this is a media war. Two days ago a picture of Abu Omar (al Baghdadi, the leaders of the Islamic State of Iraq) and today Abu Hamza. Abu Hamza is wearing an explosives belt now, that's one. Two, Abu Hamza is not in Mosul," said another member.

Members also attacked al Arabiya news channel, which is often referred to as "Al Ebriya," which means Hebrew, on jihadist forums. "God's curse on al Arabiya for its lies and fraud," said one post.

Several Iraqi officials had announced yesterday that the notorious leader of al Qaeda in Iraq had been captured in an operation in Mosul on Wednesday.