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| Iraq |
| Leaders hit back at 'weak' bin Laden |
| 2007-12-31 |
| IRAQI Sunni tribal and political leaders singled out as "traitors" by Osama bin Laden have hit back, accusing the Al-Qaeda chief of being un-Islamic and mocking him as being weak. "Bin Laden's statement doesn't affect us - he is making these threats from a position of weakness," said Sheikh Khalid Shahudh, a senior member of the Awakening Council in western Anbar province which came in for particular censure from the Western world's most wanted man. Bin Laden, in a 56-minute tape released late Saturday, warned Sunni Muslims in Iraq not to take up arms against the terror network, saying those who did were "traitors". Those fighting Al-Qaeda, known as "Awakening" councils, have "betrayed the nation and brought shame and scandal, that will be followed by damnation forever unless they repent," he said. Along with Awakening members, especially those in Anbar where the movement first began, bin Laden also rejected supporters of the Islamic Party of Iraq, a Sunni faction led by Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, as "traitors to Islam". Sheikh Shahudh said bin Laden's threats carried no weight. "Al-Qaeda has no more power in Anbar province," he said. "The Awakening is now operating all across Iraq and involving all sects. We will continue chasing Al-Qaeda. We have no enemies except Al-Qaeda. The Americans are not our enemy anymore. Our forces will deal exclusively with Al-Qaeda. We will hunt them until we get rid of the last element." The Awakening Council in central Salaheddin province, in a statement, accused bin Laden and his followers of being un-Islamic. "What the loyalists of bin Laden do contradicts Islamic principles and its moral standards," the council said. "Bin Laden should order his followers to stop targeting Iraqis ... he must apologise to Iraqis that have been harmed by Al-Qaeda's heinous crimes." Abdul Karim al-Samarraie, a member of parliament for the Islamic Party, said the party did not wish to respond to bin Laden's comments as it would "give him legitimacy". "The message of Al-Qaeda has collapsed in Iraq because of their terrorist actions. All Iraqi people are turning against them and kicking them out. Iraqis have tasted the pain of their actions," Mr Samarraie said. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #9 I recall reading some time ago that a big problem the Iraqis have with the rest of the ummah is that not one country so much as spoke out against the Ba'athist atrocities, and not one has since been supportive of post-invasion Iraq's struggles against Al Qaeda. I would think much of the Muslim world still makes Osama bin Laden a hero -- witness the amusing little trolls who post here occasionally -- which is why the the Saudi prince Naif still has to have vocally pro-jihadi imams whipped. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-12-31 15:41 |
| #8 These tribal leaders need to make their own audio tapes and send them to al Jazeera |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2007-12-31 15:13 |
| #7 Sounds like the Awakening Council woke up. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-12-31 13:06 |
| #6 Outstanding! Demostrates that for once a people when confronted by two alternatives, can choose wisely. There is a moral high ground and binny is left looking up. |
| Posted by: Spiny Gl 2511 2007-12-31 09:47 |
| #5 I'd be suprised if Darth's point were true. B'Laden did pull off their biggest ever "success" and has eluded the West since. Even if AQ has been too heavy handed -- look at how many in the west have warm feelings towards mafia dons (or characters like in Puzo's Sicilian). Note how Che is glorified. I think B'Ladens legend will only grow over time in that twisted world. |
| Posted by: Captain Lewis 2007-12-31 08:58 |
| #4 I don't think OBL is a joke in the Ummah. Many (maybe most) of the people in the Islamic world only believe what their tribal leaders or religious leaders tell them. Many of those folk tell them that OBL is either winning in Iraq or, at least, defending the innocent Moslems from infidels. When Al Jazeera has panel discussions on Iraq, the line up is typically, 1 Iraqi who is ambivalent and 4 Arabists who spend their time talking about non existant atrocities (in some sense this is kind of like The View). |
| Posted by: mhw 2007-12-31 08:34 |
| #3 that would do for me glenomre |
| Posted by: sinse 2007-12-31 07:54 |
| #2 Bin Laden is a joke in the Islamic world now. They still think he was a good guy at attempting to spread Jihad, but think he is way past his prime and should |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2007-12-31 07:54 |
| #1 It is probably time for AQ to martyr Binny - have him be killed in some 'glorious' attack. Of course it will have to be one that leaves no recognizable remains, and it assumes they still have some DNA bits and a tall sap to strap them to. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2007-12-31 07:23 |