Al-Qaeda: US strike on Iran inevitable
'Hizbullah being strengthened as pretext for attack,' says al-Qaeda leader on internet recording
Abu Omar al-Baghdadi is the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq, an al-Qaeda organization which seeks to create a Taliban-like Islamic republic in Iraq's Sunni triangle.
In the recording, released on the al-Hanein jihadi forum, Baghdadi claimed that the US, together with its Saudi ally, was working to strengthen Hizbullah, in order to create a pretext for an attack on Iran.
"It is inevitable the Americans will launch a military strike against Iran," Baghdadi said. "This is what led their (military) machine to strengthen and aid Hizbullah, with Saudi Arabia's help, and the knowledge of the Saudi's priests," he added.
Referring to Shiites as the "envious sect," Baghdadi declared: "There is the real jihad, and then there is the jihad by the infidels. If you follow the interpretation of the infidels (reference to Shiites – Y.L.), you will end up in a house of infidelity."
'A warning to all countries'
Baghdadi also issued a warning to all of Iraq's neighbors, telling them in no uncertain terms to refrain from interfering in the country.
"This is warning to all countries – be it distant or a neighbor – even if it has an Arabic or Islamic name, not to interfere in Iraq, and not to help the Crusader enemy out of its troubles," he said.
He also urged the Iraqi government not to sign any agreements with the US, and to repeal all secular legislation.
Baghdadi added that the US had failed in Iraq, stating: "All America wants to do now is return home with its dignity."
Baghdadi also threatened to attack oil installations in Iraq if they were used by "the occupiers" as a base.
Joseph Nasr contributed to this report
