Iraq

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Monday, 07 April 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a copy of an Islamic Army of Iraq (IAI) communiqué that appears to claim credit for a joint military operation with Ansar al-Islam (AI), also known as the Ansar al-Sunnah Army. Ansar al-Islam is normally a close ally of Al-Qaida in Iraq, and there has been ongoing friction between the Islamic Army of Iraq and Ansar al-Islam over an AI faction that publicly broke off and joined up in an anti-Al-Qaida alliance with the IAI.

Transcript of "Hamas in Iraq" Interview

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Wednesday, 19 March 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a copy of an interview with a senior military commander of the Hamas al-Iraq insurgent group in the restive Diyala province of Iraq. During the interview, the unnamed Hamas commander sharply condemned the "criminal actions launched by the Al-Qaida network targeting innocent civilians and... other jihad movements... The occupying forces were unable to enter many districts and villages of Diyala until Al-Qaida paved the way for them when they began killing the Sunnis and demolishing their homes, mosques, and their hospitals." The Hamas al-Iraq commander also addressed allegations of Iranian logistical support for local Al-Qaida operations, and the relationship between Iraqi Hamas and a variety of other organizations--including the Muslim Brotherhood, the Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS), the Council of Iraqi Ulema, the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Awakening Councils, the 1920 Revolution Brigades, the Iraqi Islamic Resistance Front (JAAMI), the Mujahideen Army, and the Islamic Army of Iraq (IAI).

Transcript of Audio Message from Abu Omar al-Baghdadi

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Thursday, 21 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a copy of an audio recording released on February 13 of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the leader of Al-Qaida's "Islamic State of Iraq" (ISI). In his audio statement, al-Baghdadi was sharply critical of the Hamas terrorist organization in the Palestinian territories, accusing it of being responsible for "a chain of treacheries"--including recognizing the authority of international organizations such as the United Nations; entering into "peculiar alliances with the apostate regimes" in Egypt, Syria, and Iran; and displaying "rampant hostility towards the Salafi Jihadists", such emerging regional Al-Qaida factions like Fatah al-Islam and the Army of Islam. Abu Omar al-Baghdadi expanded his argument further, accusing Muslim Brotherhood organizations across the Middle East of the worst forms of treachery: "The armed organizations that belong to the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas above all others—save for some remaining faithful from amongst the [Izzadeen] al-Qassam [Brigades]--have truly betrayed our religion and the Islamic nation, and they have abandoned the blood of the martyrs... Their brothers in Iraqi Hamas and from the [Iraqi] Islamic Party and the Islamic Army [of Iraq] (IAI) fight today side-by-side with the crusaders against the followers of al-Tawheed." Al-Baghdadi called upon those from the armed wing of Palestinian Hamas, the Izzadeen al-Qassam Brigades, who remain faithful to the concept of jihad to assemble their forces and encourage others within Hamas to defect to the cause of the Salafi Jihadists. Addressing the proper role of the ISI in supporting the jihad in Palestine, al-Baghdadi indicated to Palestinian militants that "we are ready to assist you with what meager fortunes we have at our disposal, and we are ready to train your comrades, starting with explosive devices and concluding with manufacturing rockets.”

Diary of Al-Qaida in Iraq Leader

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Friday, 08 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a copy of the diary of Abu Tariq, an Al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) leader who identifies himself as "Emir of al-Lavin and al-Mashadah Sector"; the diary was seized by U.S. military personnel during a raid and provides considerable insight into the current status of some of AQI's operations. Abu Tariq bashes the Sunnis who have abandoned AQI, writing, "We were mistreated, cheated and betrayed by some of our brothers. We must not have mercy on those traitors until they come back to the right side or get eliminated completely in order to achieve victory at the end." He adds that "there are very few tribe members who stood by us."

Al-Qaida's ISI Reponds to Ongoing Events in Mosul

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Saturday, 02 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a copy of recent communique issued by the Nineveh province branch of Al-Qaida's "Islamic State of Iraq" (ISI). In the statement, the ISI denied responsibility for a deadly explosion on January 23 in the Zanjili neighborhood of Mosul, and strongly criticized "apostate agents" allegedly tasked with "the mission of blaming that repugnant crime on the mujahideen. But... their treachery has been exposed by orders of Allah, and their lies have been clearly revealed to everyone." The communique further called upon Muslims everywhere to aid in the imminent struggle for control of Mosul: "the battle is now in its final stages, and it will be a energizing victory for the Muslims, Allah willing. The enemy has begun to stagger, and now has reached its final page, so do not let the opportunity to participate in that historic battle pass you by."