Al Qaeda's No 2 commander appeared on Wednesday in a new video on a portal used by Islamist militant groups, urging unity in jihad and calling for the overthrow of “corrupt” Muslim governments in the region. The English version of the title posted on the site was The Advice of One Concerned and the video showed the Egyptian cleric Ayman al-Zawahri, speaking in Arabic with English sub-titles. The US-based SITE Institute, which monitors Islamist sites, released a transcript that appeared to match the 95-minute video made by al Qaeda’s media arm as-Sahab.
In the video, Zawahri expounds at length on what he calls the corruption of the Saudi Arabian royal family, condemns Palestinian concessions to Israel and criticises the Egyptian government as an ally of the US. The video has been edited, incorporating clips from al Jazeera, US public television and other international news stations. At one point, it invokes evidence from US journalist Bob WoodwardÂ’s book on Iraq Plan of Attack. It is unclear when Zawahri was speaking, but the video said it was produced in the Muslim lunar month which corresponds to mid-June to mid-July.
Zawahri lashes out at those who did not accept the “Islamic State of Iraq,” and says it is crucial to the revival of an Islamic Caliphate. Though US commanders say tribal leaders are increasingly turning against the al-Qaeda, Zawahri said there is growing support from the Iraqi people. “Today, the wind—grace of Allah — is blowing against Washington,” he said. Zawahri also calls for unity in Iraq. “The mujahideen of Islam in Iraq of the Caliphate and jihad are advancing with steady steps toward victory....” he said. |
