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Iraq
Al-Zarqawi's Rival New Pointman For Al-Qaeda
2006-06-08
Baghdad, 8 June (AKI) - Following the death of al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, killed in an US air raid near Baquba on Wednesday, Wariya Arbili takes over the mantle of the 'oldest' al-Qaeda militant in the country, according to specialist intelligence website Debka. Arbili heads the second militant group linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq, Ansar al-Sunna. The organisation controls various areas of the country, and in particular a large part of Kurdistan. Its strongholds are in Kirkuk, Mosul, Tel Afar and the so-called 'Sunni triangle' - northwest of Baghdad which is inhabited mainly by Sunni Muslim Arabs.

According to anti-terrorism forces, the rivalry between al-Zarqawi and Arbili had recently persuaded Osama Bin Laden to appoint a new world operations' leader with authority over both al-Zarqawi and Arbili. Bin Laden appointed to this key post an Iraqi al-Qaeda's militant, Abdulhadi al-Iraqi, who replaced Abu Farj al-Libi, arrested by the Pakistani police, anti-terrorism sources said. Abdulhadi's absolute priority is to bring order between the two rival groups and to avoid a bloody clash for the leadership.
Posted by:Steve

#14  Maybe the out-takes from Zarq's last video were too Humiliating™ to allow him to live. Ratting out the clowns.

More outtakes! More making fun of 'em! Makes them blow up real good. Worked beautifully.
Posted by: Thinemp Whimble2412   2006-06-08 19:15  

#13  The organisation controls various areas of the country, and in particular a large part of Kurdistan

I could believe sunni areas and even shitte areas. But if you expect me to believe they are controling Kurdistan you are delussional. The Kurds would kill them.
Posted by: Charles   2006-06-08 14:34  

#12  Whazzup Arbili! Thanks for the tip on Zarqawi.
Posted by: Rumsfeld   2006-06-08 14:10  

#11  Arbili might want to note today's comment by the speaker of the Kurdish parliament:

the Iraqi people has memorized the names of all those who were involved in Terror against civilians, and will continue the struggle
Posted by: lotp   2006-06-08 13:40  

#10  With Zarky gone, and the cell numbers of most of the group in our posession, and Iraqi speaking agents, why not invite the boyz to a team prayer and last camel roast ?
Posted by: wxjames   2006-06-08 13:20  

#9  Makes you wonder if it was these guys who dropped a dime on Zarky.
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2006-06-08 13:15  

#8  "Great news, fellow Jihadis! It seems a big American retail chain has seen our brave fight against the Yankee Zionist Dogs and wants to support us. Look at the beautiful red and white T-shirts they sent!
Posted by: mcsegeek1   2006-06-08 12:23  

#7  ...Will someone please hand Mr. Arbili his red shirt?....Thankyouverymuch.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2006-06-08 12:03  

#6  Juggling .45s was the first thing they taught us.
Posted by: Fred   2006-06-08 10:29  

#5  RE: The pic. I never learned those pistol techniques in my defensive handgun class.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2006-06-08 10:18  

#4  Nice screen cap, Steve.
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-06-08 10:11  

#3  From DEBKA: Al Qaeda has already named Abdallah Bin Rashid al Baghdadi, head of its shura council in Iraq, as Abu Musab al ZarqawiÂ’s successor. DEBKAfileÂ’s counter-terror sources reveal Western intelligence agencies dealing with terrorists in the region know nothing about the new man. Al Qaeda has already vowed to fight on after ZarqawiÂ’s death in a statement on its web site.

DEBKAfile discloses: ZarqawiÂ’s death leaves Wariya Arbili as the most senior al Qaeda player in Iraq. He is chief of al QaedaÂ’s second largest affiliate in Iraq, Ansar al-Sunna, an organization which controls large tracts of the country - especially in parts of Kurdistan - with a foothold in Kirkuk and Mosul as well as Tal Afar to the north and sections of the Sunni triangle.

DEBKAfileÂ’s counter-terror sources reveal that a quarrel which flared recently between Arbili and Zarqawi led to Osama bin Laden naming a new worldwide operations chief with authority over both. He is an Iraqi from the north, known only by his nom de guerre, Abdulhadi al-Iraqi, and he replaces Abu Farj al-Libi who was captured by Pakistani forces. Bin LadenÂ’s choice of an indigenous Iraqi ops chief pointed to the high importance the al Qaeda leader attaches to the Iraq warfront for the future of his organization. Abdulhadi now faces the urgent task of bringing order to al QaedaÂ’s ranks, which are packed with foreign adherents, and Iraqi affiliates to avert a bloody power struggle among commanders.
Posted by: Steve   2006-06-08 09:47  

#2  No! We *want* a bloody clash for leadership! "There can be only one!" Get yer knives out, boys!
Posted by: Dar   2006-06-08 09:27  

#1  Weriya Arbili, AKA "Next"...
Posted by: tu3031   2006-06-08 09:27  

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