Al Qaeda now the primary Enemy in Iraq.
Insurgent attacks in Iraq have switched from targeting American troops to targeting Iraqi civilians. The common inference to be drawn is a gradual shift in the attackers from predominantly Baathist holdouts to predominantly non-Iraqi terrorists linked to Al Qaeda. (*)
The recent discovery of a letter from the Al Qaeda leader Zarqawi, a Jordanian, supports the point. (†) The text of that letter is available online. (‡)
Earlier I suggested that Izzat Ibrahim Al-Duri would continue Baathist operations in Iraq. (§) Al Duri appears ineffectual, though remaining a wanted man. (**)
Now it appears that Zarqawi has become the chief adversary (††) due to his coordination of Al Qaeda’s terrorist operations.
Update: Another copy of the letter. (‡‡) Read the letter. Here are some key passages.
THIS REGION IS OUR BASE OF OPERATIONS FROM WHERE WE DEPART AND TO WHERE WE RETURN.… WE CAN PACK UP AND LEAVE AND LOOK FOR ANOTHER LAND, JUST LIKE IT HAS HAPPENED IN SO MANY LANDS OF JIHAD. OUR ENEMY IS GROWING STRONGER DAY AFTER DAY, AND ITS INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION INCREASES. BY GOD, THIS IS SUFFOCATION!… THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO STRIKE THE RELIGIOUS, MILITARY, AND OTHER CADRES OF THE SHI’A SO THAT THEY REVOLT AGAINST THE SUNNIS. SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY, THAT THIS WILL BE A RECKLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION THAT WILL BRING THE ISLAMIC NATION TO A BATTLE FOR WHICH THE ISLAMIC NATION IS UNPREPARED. SOULS WILL PERISH AND BLOOD WILL BE SPILLED. THIS IS, HOWEVER, EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.…
It is as I have said many times. Al Qaeda wants to shed a great deal of blood, especially the blood of Muslims.