Showing posts with label al Zawahiri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label al Zawahiri. Show all posts

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Al Qaeda's Leader, al Zawahiri, Calls On Syrian Rebels To Establish An Anti-West, America Hating Country After They Overthrow Assad


Ayman al-Zawahiri, the supreme leader of al Qaeda, has proclaimed that the rebels and jihadis fighting Assad in Syria need to establish a new Syria after they have won...a new Syria that will hate America more than ever and be an anti-West country.  So, in other words, you little peon jihadis getting your nuts and back hairs blown off in Syria, you do just what Uncle Ayman says while he sits back in the leisure of his Pakistani condominium eating grapes and raping young boys.

The story comes from The Telegraph.


Al-Qaeda calls on Syrian rebels to build anti-Western state


Al-Qaeda's high command staked its interest in the outcome of Syria's civil war yesterday as its leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, called on jihadist fighters to build an anti-Western state after toppling Bashar al-Assad.

In remarks that underline how al-Qaeda now sees the Syrian conflict as its best political chance in years, Zawahiri warned rebel fighters not to do the West's work by replacing President Assad with a moderate, democratic government.

Instead, he called for the creation of an Islamic caliphate that would then wage all-out war with neighbouring Israel.

"America, its agents and allies want you to shed your blood and the blood of your children and women to bring down the criminal Ba'athist regime, and then set up a government loyal to them and to safeguard Israel's security," he said.

Zawahiri's comments, which raise the prospect of a three-sided war between secular moderates, Sunni extremists loyal to al-Qaeda, and the Shia regime of President Assad, were made in an audio broadcast timed to mark the 65th anniversary of Israel's creation.

It comes amid mounting Western concern about how al-Qaeda-linked factions are now dominant in the rebel frontlines, to which they bring both better weapons and battlefield experience honed in Iraq. Their principal organisation is the Al-Nusra Front, who pledged allegiance to Zawahiri in April.



As well as alarming secular rebel groups, who took up arms in the hope of achieving a multi-party democracy, the success of Nusra has shored up the remaining bedrock of support for Mr Assad, allowing him to portray himself as a champion against terror and fundamentalism.

While Zawahiri's message exhorted Syrians to "rise above sectarian affiliations", it also appealed directly to those same religious divisions, referring to the "criminal Alawite regime" of Mr Assad, whose faith is an offshoot of Shia Islam. Many fear that if his regime falls, his fellow Alawites will suffer reprisals at the hands of the Sunni Muslim majority, to which most of the rebels belong.

Zawahiri's declaration that he is playing close attention to events in Syria may sharpen divisions within the West over whether to arm the anti-Assad rebels, who are now showing signs of being pushed onto the back foot by Mr Assad's forces.

Britain and France now favour such a move, saying that arming only secular rebels will reduce the relative power of al-Qaeda-linked factions. But other nations say that in the chaos of civil war, any such weapons inevitably risk falling into the hands of jihadist groups.

Zawahiri's speech came as Syrian forces, backed by Hizbollah fighters from neighbouring Lebanon, celebrated capturing the strategic town of Qusayr from rebel fighters after a two-week long siege.

Syrian forces claimed yesterday to have deliberately opened exit routes from Qusayr to allow rebels to escape, rather than forcing a fight to the death in areas still populated by civilians. Around 1,000 wounded were said to be still in the town.

Meanwhile, rebel fighters were reported to have seized the only crossing point between Syria and Israel in the heavily-militarised Golan Heights region. The move prompted Austria to announce that it was withdrawing its 377 soldiers serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Golan for safety reasons.

Israeli security sources added that the presence of unknown rebel groups at the crossing point at Quneitra could create potential flashpoints.

"Until now, the Quneitra crossing was Israel's only point of contact with Syria," an Israeli security source said. "Today this place has been taken over by people who we don't know, whose purpose we don't know."

In other developments, Russia warned Western nations not to use allegations of chemical weapons attacks as a pretext for foreign intervention in Syria.

"I do not rule out that somebody wants to use it to state that a red line has been crossed and a foreign intervention is necessary," said Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Al Qaeda's al-Zawahiri Vows To Free the Blind Sheik

Al Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri released a statement where he vows to see that the Blink Sheik, Omar Abdul Rahman, be released from imprisonment in the United States and at the same time, al-Zawahiri mourned the martyrdom of the Blind Sheik's son who was blown into a thousand tiny bits of jihadi scum by a U.S. JDAM in Afghanistan.

You know, when it comes to the Blind Sheik...it seems to me that possibly the United States of America wasn't the best target for his jihad - the old man sits now in a U.S. prison rotting from his failed attempt in 1993 to bring down the Twin Towers and now his son can only be remembered as a fine red mist splattering the soil of Afghanistan.  And unless Barack Hussein Obama releases this dog, the "glorious" Blind Sheik will die in an America prison looking out through the bars at women in mini skirts and free people loving life.

The story comes from The Long War Journal.


Zawahiri notes death of Blind Sheikh's son 'on the pure soil of Khorasan'


In al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri's recent message on Egypt, he made a point of recognizing Ahmed Omar Abdul Rahman, the son of the "Blind Sheikh" (Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman), the spiritual leader of the Egyptian Islamic Group who is in a US jail for the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center. Ahmed was killed in a US airstrike in Afghanistan last fall; his death was noted by the Egyptian Islamic Group in a martyrdom statement released on Oct. 15, 2011.

This is what Zawahiri had to say, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which translated his statement:

The second condolence is for the patient, stationed sheikh, our sheikh and the sheikh of the mujahideen, his Excellency Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, may Allah release him, and his son Muhammad, who is known as Assad, and his noble family, for the martyrdom of their son Ahmed bin Omar Abdul Rahman, may Allah have mercy on him, in an American bombing on the pure soil of Khorasan. May the vast mercy of Allah be upon him, and May He accept from him his jihad and emigration. May Allah grant this noble family that is patient with hardships in the cause of Allah, patience and solace.

Zawahiri immediately followed up his condolences to the family of the radical Egyptian cleric by vowing to free him:

I confirm to our honorable sheikh, Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, and to his sons and the women of the Muslim captives and their families, that we will never spare any efforts, with the help and power of Allah, until we release every captive in the hands of the disbelievers or die trying.

Two quick comments on Zawahiri's statement:

1) Ahmed is one of several Egyptian Islamic Group fighters and leaders killed while waging jihad in the Afghan-Pakistan theater. See The Long War Journal's report on Ahmed's death for a list of some of them. Although it is often assumed that the Egyptian Islamic Group has shunned violence and joined the political process (it launched the Building and Development Party and won 13 seats in parliament in 2011), members of the group still wage jihad overseas and its leaders still endorse al Qaeda. For instance, Rifai Ahmed Taha Musa, its former leader, acknowledged that "there was a relationship between al Qaeda and the Islamic Group," but said "it was not in the form of a common organizational framework." Instead, Musa said it "was similar to a relationship between any two political parties," with "exchanged benefits." [See LWJ report, Al Qaeda-linked jihadists helped incite 9/11 Cairo protest, for more details.]

2) Releasing the Blind Sheikh from US custody remains a cause célèbre for al Qaeda and a host of jihadist groups. For instance, just four days ago, Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, pledged to continue to work to free the jihadist cleric, and on the same day it threatened to attack Britain over the extradition of Abu Hamza al Masri, another radical cleric linked to al Qaeda [see LWJ report, Shabaab threatens Britain over extradition of Abu Hamza al Masri.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Can It Get Any More Nuts In Egypt? Egyptian Member of Parliament Calls For Al Qaeda's Zawahiri to Return


You know, I called out President Obama for his ridiculous and perverted support of the Arab Spring in Egypt for JUST THIS DAMN REASON, in that the country is now spiraling down into a complete theocratic islamic madhouse with some fucked up Egyptian member of parliament now calling for al Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, to return to the country. So, we go from a peaceful Egypt living basically in harmony with the other power in the region, Israel, to a country now headed up by the Muslim Brotherhood who is seeking the return of one of the masterminds of 9/11 in America...al Zawahiri.

Once again, Barack Hussein Obama, you have made your muzzie father proud and the legions of minions across the world just another step closer to annihilating the country that you supposedly lead.

The story is from The Long War Journal.



Islamist Egyptian MP calls for Zawahiri's return


A member of the newly elected Egyptian parliament has called for al Qaeda's emir to return to the country "with his head held high and safely."

Aboud al Zomor, who served as the first emir of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and was later imprisoned for his role in President Anwar Sadat's assassination, said that he welcomes Ayman al Zawahiri's return to Egypt and that he would be given safe haven, according to a report published yesterday in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. The report was translated from Arabic by the Foundation For Defense of Democracies.

"When asked if he saw any danger in al Zawahiri's return, al Zomor said that 'he was not a threat to Egypt, the likes of al Zawahiri differed with the previous regime and they were only a danger for this regime and not for Egypt, and now he is liberating Afghanistan and Iraq...'" the report stated. Zomor also lamented that the US would be opposed to Zawahiri's return to Egypt.

Zomor denied having direct contact with members of al Qaeda, and claims to have renounced violence.

"I've distanced myself from that currently because I took the political line and closed the page on the past, as a result of which doors to peaceful action opened for us," he told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat.

Zomor is one of the primary founders of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the terrorist group that merged with al Qaeda. Zawahiri succeeded Zomor as the group's emir and presided over its merger with bin Laden's terror group in the 1990s.

Zomor, who was freed along with his brother Tarek from prison in 2011 after serving more than 20 years for their role in assassinating Sadat, now leads the Building and Development Party, a Salafi Islamist political party that won 16 seats in Egypt's recent parliamentary elections. His party is allied with Al Nour; together they make up the Islamist Bloc, which won 127 of the 498 seats. Both Zomor's party and Al Nour call for sharia, or Islamic law. The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, which also calls for Islamic law, won 235 of the seats in parliament, giving Islamist parties 362 total seats. The newly elected parliament will appoint the committee to craft Egypt's new constitution.



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Al Qaeda #2, al-Zawahiri, Releases Video of His Eulogy For Bin Laden, Threatens the West With Same Old Same Old

This image provided by SITE Intelligence Group shows Ayman al-Zawahiri as he gives a eulogy for fellow al-Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden in a video released on jihadist forums on June 8, 2011. -AFP Photo


I am a little surprised that Ayman al-Zawahiri would take the risk right now of releasing a video eulogizing Osama bin Laden...especially since one has to believe there were some hints as to al-Zawahiri's location in all of the intel discovered with bin Laden, but he is on tape blabbering on about bin Laden and renewing threats against the West...that part isn't surprising.

From the article at DAWN:

Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda’s long-time number two, has threatened in a video eulogy to Osama bin Laden to pursue his late leader’s jihad against the West, SITE Intelligence Group reported Wednesday.

“We will pursue the jihad until we expel the invaders from Muslim lands,” he was quoted as saying in the eulogy to bin Laden who was killed in a US raid in Pakistan on May 2.

“The man who terrified America in his life will continue to terrify it after his death,” he added in the video message titled “The Noble Knight Dismounted,” which SITE said was posted on jihadist online forums on Wednesday.

“You will continue to be troubled by his famous vow: You shall not dream of security until we enjoy it and until you depart the Muslims’ lands,” added the Egyptian militant, who was in white garb and a turban with a machinegun behind him.

He vowed to make sacrifices needed to “deprive America of security.” In an audio message on May 22, Zawahiri backed the wave of Arab revolts and called for sharia Islamic law to be applied in Egypt.

One thing that's gotta be bugging the hell out of al-Zawahiri right now is what is happening in Egypt...his boys at the Muslim Brotherhood are on the verge of total takeover in Egypt and Egyptian al-Zawahiri is stuck in Pakistan eating grubs. I know damn well the old man wishes he was there right now...in fact, I would guess he thinks he'd be part of the new leadership in the country.

Who knows...maybe he'll try to make a return trip to his homeland. Let's hope so. Let's hope this cockroach shows his face in the daylight.



Zawahiri vows jihad, in bin Laden eulogy


DUBAI: Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda’s long-time number two, has threatened in a video eulogy to Osama bin Laden to pursue his late leader’s jihad against the West, SITE Intelligence Group reported Wednesday.

“We will pursue the jihad until we expel the invaders from Muslim lands,” he was quoted as saying in the eulogy to bin Laden who was killed in a US raid in Pakistan on May 2.

“The man who terrified America in his life will continue to terrify it after his death,” he added in the video message titled “The Noble Knight Dismounted,” which SITE said was posted on jihadist online forums on Wednesday.

“You will continue to be troubled by his famous vow: You shall not dream of security until we enjoy it and until you depart the Muslims’ lands,” added the Egyptian militant, who was in white garb and a turban with a machinegun behind him.

He vowed to make sacrifices needed to “deprive America of security.” In an audio message on May 22, Zawahiri backed the wave of Arab revolts and called for sharia Islamic law to be applied in Egypt.

But he warned Libyans the Nato-led aerial bombing campaign against Moamer Kadhafi seeks to replace the strongman with its own tyrannical regime.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Okay, So Who Will Be the Next Bin Laden?


Not many do it better than Steve Emerson when it comes to counter-terrorism efforts against the jihadis and this article from Family Security Matters shows Emerson delving into the possible candidates to succeed Osama bin Laden now that he is feeding the plankton. I don't think there's a person alive who believes that al Qaeda is dead and gone along with bin Laden but the fact of the matter is that every organization needs a leader. Who will take over al Qaeda? Who will be the next to plot something big?

From the article:

Osama bin Laden's longtime deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri is the most likely candidate to take over al-Qaida, despite his reported unpopularity. Since the beginning, Zawahiri has been an important ideological force in al-Qaida, releasing regular internet videos espousing the organization's mission. He also played a key role in refocusing al-Qaida's efforts away from Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan and towards the "far enemy," the Americans and the Jews.

Touted as "as the most effective, dangerous and successful guerrilla leader in the world" by intelligence agencies, Pakistani terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri heads the 313 Brigade, the military wing of al-Qaida in Pakistan. He is suspected of involvement in a number of high-profile terrorist attacks including: the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that resulted in the deaths of 166 people at Mumbai's train station, the Taj Mahal Hotel, and a Jewish center; and a suicide bomb attack on a top secret CIA base in the eastern Afghan province of Khost in December 2009 that killed at least eight Americans.

Born in Yemen, but living much of his life in America, Awlaki has been referred to as "the translator of jihad." He played an active role in over a dozen plots, including the Christmas Day Detroit flight bomb plot and the Fort Hood shootings. In addition, Awlaki's writings and speeches on jihad have influenced jihadi plots in the United States, Britain, Canada, and elsewhere.

I have to hedge my bets on al-Zawahiri taking over...at least for the time being. He is the only other of the al Qaeda that has addressed the world by video and audio - he's actually made more communications than bin Laden did. At the same time though, al-Zawahiri has been REAL quiet for awhile now - I'm not sure if this guy is hurt, sick or just scared half to death but his silence is pretty glaring. Now, with bin Laden dead, I'd say that we should look for a video from al-Zawahiri over the next three weeks...a sign that he is ready to take the reigns. If we don't hear from him, then I'd say he's been passed over in leadership.



The Next Bin Laden


"We firmly recognize that the umma [nation] of Muhammad is a nation whose destiny is independent of its leaders, no matter how great," said American-born al-Shabaab commander Omar Hammami about the death of Osama bin Laden. For terrorists like Hammami, ending the life of bin Laden hasn't ended the jihad against America.

His statements match the mantra echoing across jihadi forums, as branches of al-Qaida and its allies pledge new terror attacks. Although bin Laden may be dead, the jihad lives on.

Putting aside the rhetoric, al-Qaida is not an anarchist group, despite the loose connection between its regional branches. As long as al-Qaida lacks a clear central leader, it risks being lost in unending attacks without reason. That's contrary to the group's desire to establish a new Caliphate or at least oust the West from Muslim lands.

Rule by al-Qaida's Shura Council, the consultative body of the Pakistani/Afghani branch, remains a strong possibility in the short term. But in the long term, jihadi groups will look to a single leader or emir, to set policy and direct the organization. If that doesn't happen, the scattered al-Qaida branches that we know today will have little to unify them.

Bin Laden's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is widely considered the best positioned to seize the reins. However, U.S. intelligence estimates see him as an unpopular leader who lacks the charisma of bin Laden. "Zawahiri is obviously the presumed successor, but there are strong indications that he is not popular within certain circles of the group," the Washington Post quoted an unnamed senior intelligence figure as saying. "It is, of course, anathema to al-Qaida to hold free and fair elections. If free and fair elections [were conducted], Zawahiri would most likely have a fight on his hands."

Alongside Zawahiri are a cast of other characters. The biographies below point to the most likely candidates, those with the reach and ideology to reunite the organization around a central figure:

Ayman al-Zawahiri

Osama bin Laden's longtime deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri is the most likely candidate to take over al-Qaida, despite his reported unpopularity. Since the beginning, Zawahiri has been an important ideological force in al-Qaida, releasing regular internet videos espousing the organization's mission. He also played a key role in refocusing al-Qaida's efforts away from Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan and towards the "far enemy," the Americans and the Jews.

Zawahiri's jihadist roots trace back to Egypt where he was a founding member of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), a radical group committed to overthrowing Egypt's secular government. Zawahiri developed a close relationship with bin Laden during the Soviet-Afghan war and, in 1998, he officially merged EIJ with al-Qaida. In his capacity as second-in-command of al-Qaida, Zawahiri, officials say, was responsible for the planning of 9/11, the bombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, and the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen. The U.S. government has offered a reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to Zawahiri's apprehension.

There is speculation that al-Qaida has not officially named Zawahiri as its new leader because of doubts surrounding his ability to lead as effectively as his predecessor. Zawahiri has a history "of alienating his colleagues, fighting over dogma, even within the Islamist movement," said journalist Steve Coll, author of Ghost Wars and The Bin Ladens. "And as a communicator, he is less effective. His books are turgid and dogmatic." Zawahiri also is said to lack the charisma and appeal that bin Laden possessed, and is seen as a "divisive" figure within al-Qaida's ranks.

Nevertheless, the Islamic State of Iraq (formerly al-Qaida in Iraq) has already pledged its allegiance to Zawahiri, and a former EIJ member, Tawfiq Hamid, warned against underestimating the probable new leader. "He's much more powerful as a leader – much more organized," Hamid said. "When you listen to him, you can tell clearly that he has the ambition and is dedicated 100 percent to achieve this mission."

Click here for more on Zawahiri.

Ilyas Kashmiri

Touted as "as the most effective, dangerous and successful guerrilla leader in the world" by intelligence agencies, Pakistani terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri heads the 313 Brigade, the military wing of al-Qaida in Pakistan. He is suspected of involvement in a number of high-profile terrorist attacks including: the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that resulted in the deaths of 166 people at Mumbai's train station, the Taj Mahal Hotel, and a Jewish center; and a suicide bomb attack on a top secret CIA base in the eastern Afghan province of Khost in December 2009 that killed at least eight Americans. He is also believed to have been the mastermind of a plot to attack the offices of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in retaliation for the newspaper publishing a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in 2005, and a 2010 plot for a series of "Mumbai-style" attacks in European cities.

Kashmiri has been named for his role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks in the terrorism indictment of David Coleman Headley. Court documents contain hints of connections between Kashmiri and al-Qaida and of Kashmiri's desire to launch additional mass casualty terrorist attacks. In his first-ever interview with Asia Times in 2009, Kashmiri voiced his support for al-Qaida's war against the United States and the West, and warned that the 2008 Mumbai attack "was nothing compared to what has already been planned for the future." Kashmiri directs attacks in South Asia, while simultaneously assisting in plots against the West.

In the wake of bin Laden's death, Kashmiri "will probably be the operational mastermind and most dangerous," said former CIA officer Bruce Riedel. Kashmiri is considered a dark horse to replace bin Laden because of Zawahiri's unpopularity. However, according to U.S. government sources, Kashmiri may not even seek al-Qaida's leadership. Until now, Kashmiri has acted as more of a behind-the-scenes military commander and has had minimal media exposure. He has also played a small role as an influential ideologue or recruiter.

Click here for more on Kashmiri.

Anwar al-Awlaki

Born in Yemen, but living much of his life in America, Awlaki has been referred to as "the translator of jihad." He played an active role in over a dozen plots, including the Christmas Day Detroit flight bomb plot and the Fort Hood shootings. In addition, Awlaki's writings and speeches on jihad have influenced jihadi plots in the United States, Britain, Canada, and elsewhere.

Awlaki has a high public profile, especially in comparison to other al-Qaida leaders. He produced a series of popular, English-language recordings throughout his own radicalization process, which remained in circulation well after he embraced jihad. In addition, his blog, use of video conferencing, and email communications, made him the most accessible terrorist leader. This legacy has continued through Inspire magazine, an English-language publication that features Awlaki's latest statements, and keeps him in the jihadi public eye.

Although he is one the most active players in terrorism against Americans, Awlaki has little chance of succeeding bin Laden. His influence among English-speaking jihadists aside, Awlaki is not even the military or spiritual leader of his local branch of al-Qaida, al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). His encouragement of lone wolf terrorism, which he states should be carried out in a would-be terrorist's home country, also differs from the top-down approach of al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Unconfirmed Audio Message From Al Qaeda #2, al-Zawahiri, Mocks Obama and Attacks Egypt


It's been about four months since anyone has heard from Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's #2 leader until today when an audio was released that appears to be legitimate. In the message, al-Zawahiri mocks Barack Hussein Obama's efforts in Afghanistan and also takes on Egyptian leader Mubarek.

From the article at Reuters (via Breitbart):



Al Qaeda's No. 2 leader mocked President Barack Obama for voicing confidence over victory in Afghanistan, in an Internet message posted on Monday.

Ayman al-Zawahri also said Arab government leaders allied to the West were more harmful to the Palestinians than Israel.

"Poor Obama comes to Kabul and he promises that Taliban shall not return to power ... You poor man, can you promise that your hordes will return safely to America?" a speaker who sounded like Zawahri said in an audio recording posted on Islamist websites often used by al Qaeda.

"These Arab Zionists with whom we live and exchange smiles ... are more dangerous than the Jewish Zionists," Zawahri said, referring to Arab leaders allied to the West.

Zawahri, an Egyptian, singled out Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak for his blockade of Gaza's border with Egypt, helping Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory.

"Who surrounds our people in Gaza? ... Is it not the leader of the Arab Zionists, Hosni Mubarak?"
I have been stating for some time that it is very suspicious that the number of communications from al-Zawahiri has fallen off so dramatically. As I mentioned above, this is the only audio from the al Qaeda leader in four months and I literally cannot remember the last time this clown has released a video. Odd, when you consider the fact that al-Zawahiri used to churn out videos at a clip so regular it was like episodes of TMZ. So what has happened? Why the big drop off?

I'm convinced of two things. First, al-Zawahiri was either injured in a predator drone attack at some point or he is one sick ass puppy - that is why we are not seeing any videos of him and second, I believe there is an extreme paranoia because of the influx of Pakistani military, U.S. special forces and U.S. predator drones in NW Pakistan - I don't think the al Qaeda leader trusts a courier service any longer to distribute a video or more audio.

Besides, it's not like al-Zawahiri hasn't had reason to crow - and one of the odd things about this new audio is the fact that there is no mention of the al Qaeda-linked bombing of the sports bar in Uganda. So again, I am convinced that al Qaeda top leadership is in a real bad spot. And it is a real shame, huh? :)



Qaeda's Zawahri mocks Obama, slams Arab leaders: web


(Reuters) - Al Qaeda's No. 2 leader mocked President Barack Obama for voicing confidence over victory in Afghanistan, in an Internet message posted on Monday.

Ayman al-Zawahri also said Arab government leaders allied to the West were more harmful to the Palestinians than Israel.

"Poor Obama comes to Kabul and he promises that Taliban shall not return to power ... You poor man, can you promise that your hordes will return safely to America?" a speaker who sounded like Zawahri said in an audio recording posted on Islamist websites often used by al Qaeda.

Obama made his first trip to Afghanistan as president in March, delivering a rousing speech to U.S. troops and telling them he was confident they would have success in their mission.

"These Arab Zionists with whom we live and exchange smiles ... are more dangerous than the Jewish Zionists," Zawahri said, referring to Arab leaders allied to the West.

Zawahri, an Egyptian, singled out Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak for his blockade of Gaza's border with Egypt, helping Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory.

"Who surrounds our people in Gaza? ... Is it not the leader of the Arab Zionists, Hosni Mubarak?"

It was the latest message from Zawahri since an audio tape in March in which he praised two al Qaeda leaders killed in Iraq.

Zawahri is thought to be in hiding in mountainous territory close to the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Are Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri Living In Iran?


There's a story going around pretty hot and heavy right now that I believe broke at DEBKA and has been picked up by other news media that Osama bin Laden and his top deputies, including al Qaeda #2 Ayman al Zawahiri, have been living in northeastern Iran for the past five years. I ran across this at both Maggie's Notebook and also over at The Australian.

Here's the piece from The Australian:



Bin Laden, aides 'hiding in Iran'


AL-QAEDA leader Usama bin Laden and his top deputies have been living in a town in northeastern Iran for the past five years, and Turkish intelligence officials knew about it, Israeli intelligence claims.

Turkish intelligence officials were aware that the terror mastermind, along with top ranking al Qaeda officials including number two Ayman al-Zawahiri, have been living in the remote mountainous town of Savzevar. the Israel-based intelligence news service DEBKAfile reported today.

The leak to a Kuwaiti newspaper of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan’s knowledge that Iran has been harbouring bin Laden was meant to show the Obama administration how closely Turkey is now tied to the Islamic regime in Tehran, according to DEBKAfile.

US intelligence sources said last month that senior al Qaeda operatives in Iran had been allowed to leave the country through Syria to plot attacks on American targets, the report said.

Until now, bin Laden has been believed to be hiding closer to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Now, I have found DEBKA very reliable over the past 18 months but on this one, I have some serious doubts. I'll give you my gut feeling on this story - I have no facts to back it up, just a "feeling"....

Let me start by saying that if bin Laden and al Zawahiri had been living in Iran, it would have been one of the safest places in the world for them and they would have been putting out videos and audios probably twice every month - but we have seen the exact opposite....it's been AGES since we've heard from either one, especially al Zawahiri. I, personally, think bin Laden and his crew got caught up in Pakistan about the time that the Pakistani government made the big decision to take it to the Taliban there and bin Laden simply couldn't risk getting out. And also, I don't believe that bin Laden and al Zawahiri have been together, physically, since they fled from Afghanistan - it was too critical that both of them not get taken out at the same time.

If you noticed, the communications from bin Laden and al Zawahiri pretty much dried up as the Pakistani military moved into South Waziristan and Swat and also about the time that U.S. drone strikes were tripling. At the same time, during this period, al Qaeda activity worldwide was spotty and what actually did transpire was pretty hokey, amateurish stuff. If the al Qaeda leaders had been safe and sound in Iran, their communications ability would have been such that they could have really brought back some coordination into the organization.

So, for what it's worth, here is my estimate of what is really going on. I truly believe that Ayman al Zawahiri is dead - I'm not sure if he was a casualty of the Pakistani artillery or helo strikes or an American UAV strike or natural causes, but I do believe he is dead. Now, knowing my luck, the clown will surface with a new video tomorrow just to spite me....haha. At the same time, I think bin Laden is alive but sicker than shit. I believe that bin Laden was at one time in North Waziristan and began moving out as the Pakistani offensives began...but he couldn't get far enough away. But, in the last few months I think he made a dash for it and I believe he made it across the border back into Afghanistan - thus, I believe you will find Osama bin Laden right now in Paktika province in southeastern Afghanistan.

Okay, there's my conjecture. Anyone want to toss in their two bits, just detail your opinions away in the comments below.