|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
Al-Qaida: Iraq Is a 'University of Terrorism' NewsMax.com Wires DUBAI -- The head of an al Qaeda-led group in Iraq said the country has become a "university of terrorism" producing highly qualified warriors since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. In an audio recording found on the Internet on Tuesday, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, leader of the self-styled Islamic State in Iraq, also sought to mend fences with other anti-U.S. insurgent groups in Iraq following reports of tensions between them. "From the military point of view, one of the (enemy) devils was right in saying that if Afghanistan was a school of terror, then Iraq is a university of terrorism," said the leader of the group set up last year by al Qaeda's Iraq wing and some other Sunni groups . "The largest batch of soldiers for jihad in the path of God in the history of Iraq are graduating and they have the highest level of competence in the world." "The fear of the American Marines has disappeared from the hearts of the people of the world, as the mujahideen have become thousands from the few they were after the fall of the infidel Baath regime," Baghdadi said. "These are just some of the achievements of four years of jihad." The authenticity of the tape, issued to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, could not be verified. But it was posted on Web sites used by al Qaeda and other insurgent groups in Iraq. Baghdadi called on insurgents to maintain their unity, warning that enemies wanted to cause splits in their ranks. "Our friendship is deep ... and ties between us are stronger than some believe," he said.
Story Continues Below
His comments appeared to confirm reports of a growing rift between his militant group and other insurgent organizations that accused al Qaeda of trying to impose control over them. Addressing insurgent groups such as the Islamic Army in Iraq and the Ansar al-Sunna, Baghdadi said he strongly opposed any fighting between insurgent groups and vowed to take all necessary measures to prevent bloodshed. "By God, you will not hear or see but good things (from us)," he said. Baghdadi's group has claimed responsibility for mass kidnappings and a series of major attacks.
© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Print Page 
Forward Page 
|
| All Rights Reserved © 2009 NewsMax.Com |