Al-Zarqawi's successor: Infidels will fall back

The new leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, has issued his first statement, vowing that terrorists in Iraq will go on with the jihad until "the infidels fall back."

The triumphant communiqué, peppered with Koranic quotes, was disseminated on jihadist internet sites. It contained violently anti-Shiite sentiments and threats, and claimed that jihadists were in the "showdown stage" in Iraq.

"We will continue with you what our Sheikh Abu Musab, may Allah give mercy on him, started," Muhajir said, in a message released by the Media Committee of Mujahedeen (holy warriors) Shura Council of Iraq.

"Three years (have) gone, your Mujahedeen sons gave the enemy the taste of defeat and humiliation, and by Allah's will your sons are in the showdown stage, and nothing (is) left to our enemy but turning their backs," the statement claimed.

"Your sons in the land of two rivers (Iraq) are fine, and they today have a strong backbone… and no matter what the Kufar (infidels) do, and no matter what their numbers are they will be defeated, and they will be expelled with the blood on their face and this is what their leaders admitted," Muhajir declared.

He added: "The Mujahedeen everyday step forward while the Kufar continues falling back and in continuous breakdown."

Quoting from the Koran, Muhajiir said: "Truth hath come, and falsehood showeth not its face and will not return. 39:49."

Assuming a tone of strength, Muhajir appealed to the "the Nation of Islam, soldiers of Jihad," saying: "You saw how your crusader enemy begs its allies not to withdraw and leave the US alone in this war. And call European countries for help… our enemy doesn't know what to do with his puppets of apostates and hypocrites."

'Deadlock is Allah's plan'

The new al-Qaeda leader in Iraq also attacked democracy and "spiteful" Shiites, as well as Sunnis he accused of collaborating with enemies, threatening: "Our swords will be on your necks, and it will not differentiate between an apostate and another."

Muhajir urged Muslims to wage war in Iraq, using his first message as a recruitment call. "Fight them! Allah will chastise them at your hands, and He will lay them low and give you victory over them, and He will heal the breasts of folk who are believers," he said, quoting the Koran again.

'Retaliation day coming soon'

"The retaliation day is coming soon, and your lofty towers in the green zone will not protect you. And if they would betray thee, they betrayed Allah before, and He gave (thee) power over them. Allah is all Knower," the message said.

Muhajir lashed out repeatedly against Iraqi Shiite Muslims, saying they "worshiped other than Allah," and accusing them of betraying Islam's prophet, Muhammad.

Indicating that he would go on with Zarqawi's policies of massacring Shiites, Muhajir said: "We will continue with you what our Sheikh Abu Musab may Allah give mercy on him started, and we will fight you until the monotheistic word gets reveled and your word is one down.".

Abu Hamza Muhajir also swore loyalty to Osama Bin Laden, concluding his message: "Our Sheikh and leader, Osama, we pledge to your signal, and your commands, and we are happy to tell you that the morals of your soldiers are high, and honored souls that became under your flag, and beginnings of the near victory by Allah's well. And Allah is predominant in His career, but most of mankind knows not."