Obviously the death of Zarqawi has gotten the attention of terrorist groups in Iraq. I imagine they felt they needed to send a signal in an attempt to display strength and determination. Hopefully the video will yield some intel so we can continue to hunt down the bad guys in Iraq with the increased frequency we've been seeing.
This also appears to be their most blatant call for sectarian violence to date. Hopefully the new found political structure in Iraq can take steps to keep the religious factions together.
h/t Jawa Report who has a post up on the topic.
Video via Ogrish - definitely not for the squeamish.
The video — as grisly as any the al-Qaida in Iraq leader issued — was clearly designed to quash hopes that the Sunni-dominated insurgency might change tactics by ending attacks on Shiite civilians and institutions, especially the police.
Fellow Sunni insurgent groups sent condolences for al-Zarqawi in Internet messages Saturday and warned Sunnis not to cooperate with the Iraqi government, an apparent call for unity three days after U.S. forces killed the terror leader in a targeted airstrike.
Great catch, I saw it days before.
Posted by: Ali | Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 09:55 PM
Can the "condelences" be tracked? The only condelence I would send is that I'm sorry this guys turned out to be such a F***** up individual that he found it in his being to behead people and to be so freaking evil.
Posted by: abigail | Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 11:54 PM
Well, I don't know about you, but I haven't heard too many Muslims condemning these barbaric murders.
So much for this peaceful Islamic religion President Bush and Prime Minister Blair keep trying to convince us of!!
Why don't they tell it like it is??
The truth is, it isn't!!
Posted by: annie | Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 02:08 PM