[Al Arabiya Latest] Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden claimed responsibility for the botched Christmas Day bombing of a US airliner and vowed further strikes on US targets, in an audio message broadcast Sunday.
| So Mr. bin Laden chooses to boast about a failed attempt, and promises further failed attempts? O brave, toothless Lions of Islam! |
Bin Laden, speaking days ahead of major international meetings on how to deal with militancy in Afghanistan and Yemen, said the attempt to blow up the plane as it neared Detroit was a continuation of al-Qaeda policy since Sept. 11, 2001.
Policy, yes. But it is a policy that results in ever greater destruction of the jihadis and their strongholds. We are now well established in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and have been invited to bring our toys to Yemen. Iraq has been seduced by more or less secular democracy and the idea of equality of under the law, if not quite the actuality of the latter. The mullahcracy of Iran is shaky, as the populace compare their lives to that of the Iraqis next door. More and more theologians of jihad are foreswearing jihad of the sword. Shiites are fleeing Hizb'allah territory in Lebanon in anticipation of another Hizb'allah "victory" against Israel, while in Gaza Hamasniks cower, waiting for Israel to lose patience again.
A; Qaeda might want to rethink their policy. |
"The message sent to you with the attempt by the hero Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is a confirmation of our previous message conveyed by the heroes of Sept. 11," bin Laden said on the tape in a message addressed "from Osama to (U.S. President Barack) Obama."
"That (message) is, that America should not dream of security until we enjoy it as a reality in Palestine," he added
The authenticity of the brief audio statement could not immediately be verified but it appeared the voice was that of bin Laden.
"If it was possible to carry our messages to you by words, we wouldn't have carried them to you by planes," bin Laden said.
"It is not fair that you (America) enjoy a good life while our brothers in Gaza endure the worst standard of living. Therefore, God willing, our attacks against you will continue as long as you maintain your support to Israel." |