Al-Zawahiri Announces Victory in Iraq

[The Reaper]

Someone should ensure that the Dems, to include Dean, Reed, Murtha, et al get personal copies of this along with thank you notes from AQ.

TR

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,180871,00.html

Zawahiri Claims Victory for Islam in Iraq

Friday, January 06, 2006

CAIRO, Egypt — Al Qaeda's No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahiri, said in a videotape aired Friday that the United States' recent decision to withdraw some troops from Iraq represented "the victory of Islam."

Al-Zawahiri, wearing a white turban and gray robe and seated next to an automatic rifle, waved his finger for emphasis as he spoke in the two-minute excerpt aired by Al-Jazeera.

"I congratulate (the Islamic nation) for the victory of Islam in Iraq," he said.

Al-Zawahiri apparently was referring to comments last month by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who said President Bush had authorized new troop cuts below the 138,000 level that prevailed for most of last year.

Rumsfeld did not reveal the exact size of the cut, but the Pentagon said the reductions would be about 7,000 troops, about the size of two combat brigades. The Pentagon has not announced a timetable for troop reductions, but indications are that the force could be cut significantly by the end of this year.

"You remember I told you more than a year ago that the American withdrawal from Iraq is only a matter of time, and here they are now ... negotiating with the mujahedeen," al-Zawahiri said.

"Bush was forced at the end of last year to announce that he will pull out his forces from Iraq, but he was giving excuses for his withdrawal that the Iraqi forces have reached a good level."

Bush has not offered concrete details about bringing troops home but said Wednesday that "possible adjustments" would be discussed with Iraqi leaders if progress continued on security and political efforts.

Al-Zawahiri said the American forces "with their planes, missiles, tanks and fleets are mourning and bleeding, seeking for a getaway from Iraq."

"Regarding your withdrawal timetable ... you have to admit, Bush, that you have been defeated in Iraq and are being defeated in Afghanistan and will be defeated in Palestine," he said, speaking calmly but forcefully.

Al-Jazeera said the videotape was dated in December but it gave no more specifics.

The most recent videotape from al-Zawahiri, aired by Al-Jazeera in October, called on Muslims to aid victims of a massive earthquake in Pakistan.

"If I was comforting the Islam nation for its crisis of Pakistan's earthquake, I today congratulate it and bless the Islamic victory in Iraq," al-Zawahiri said in Friday's tape.

[Aequitas]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

"You remember I told you more than a year ago that the American withdrawal from Iraq is only a matter of time, and here they are now ... negotiating with the mujahedeen," al-Zawahiri said.

"Bush was forced at the end of last year to announce that he will pull out his forces from Iraq, but he was giving excuses for his withdrawal that the Iraqi forces have reached a good level."

Al-Zawahiri said the American forces "with their planes, missiles, tanks and fleets are mourning and bleeding, seeking for a getaway from Iraq."

"Regarding your withdrawal timetable ... you have to admit, Bush, that you have been defeated in Iraq and are being defeated in Afghanistan and will be defeated in Palestine," he said, speaking calmly but forcefully.

TR,

With the release of news like this and the upcoming "withdrawl" of US conventional forces, do you believe the SF mission will be even more valued and exploited more than it is now? It would seem almost an even better opportunity for SOF to make even larger gains once the conventional forces and media leaves the AO. Just curious on your views and anyone else that wishes to comment. Thanks.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Aequitas

TR,

With the release of news like this and the upcoming "withdrawl" of US conventional forces, do you believe the SF mission will be even more valued and exploited more than it is now? It would seem almost an even better opportunity for SOF to make even larger gains once the conventional forces and media leaves the AO. Just curious on your views and anyone else that wishes to comment. Thanks.

IF Iraqi forces can fulfil the role of US conventional forces and the popular support of AQ in Iraq continues to fade (causing intel to flow to us), SOF should be able to do a lot to help during and after the withdrawal of conventional forces.

A-Z can unilaterally declare victory if he wishes, the actions of the US and the Iraqi people will determine if it is true.

We need only look back at our ignominious withdrawal from Vietnam in comparison with our resolve in Germany, Japan, and Korea to see the difference popular and political will can make in the outcome.

TR

[37F5V]

I don't know..... I don't think it is a matter of when or how we withdrawl. They will claim victory regardless of what our or the rest of the worlds views are on the matter. As long as we (the U.S.) produce results (i.e. elections etc) the enemy's credibility will be in doubt.

However.... by making all of these defeatest statements the Dems are lending credibility to AQ's claims. All in the name of Politics.....