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Al-Qaeda deputy 'mocks Bush plan' | Al-Qaeda deputy 'mocks Bush plan' |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Al-Qaeda's deputy leader has mocked US President George W Bush's plan to increase Iraq troop numbers in a video message, according to a US website. | Al-Qaeda's deputy leader has mocked US President George W Bush's plan to increase Iraq troop numbers in a video message, according to a US website. |
In the tape, apparently intercepted by US-based terrorism think tank Site, Ayman al-Zawahiri challenged Mr Bush to send "the entire army" to Iraq. | |
The Iraqi insurgents would "bury 10 armies like yours", he said. | The Iraqi insurgents would "bury 10 armies like yours", he said. |
Earlier this month, Mr Bush announced the deployment of over 20,000 more troops in a bid to end the violence. | Earlier this month, Mr Bush announced the deployment of over 20,000 more troops in a bid to end the violence. |
Site - a Washington-based organisation that analyses militant networks - posted the video and transcript on its website, but did not say how it obtained it. | Site - a Washington-based organisation that analyses militant networks - posted the video and transcript on its website, but did not say how it obtained it. |
In the tape - 14 minutes of footage with English subtitles - Zawahiri said that Mr Bush's strategy in Iraq was going to fail. | In the tape - 14 minutes of footage with English subtitles - Zawahiri said that Mr Bush's strategy in Iraq was going to fail. |
"I ask him, why send 20,000 (troops) only - why not send 50,000 or 100,000?" he said. | "I ask him, why send 20,000 (troops) only - why not send 50,000 or 100,000?" he said. |
"Aren't you aware that the dogs of Iraq are pining for your troops' dead bodies?" | "Aren't you aware that the dogs of Iraq are pining for your troops' dead bodies?" |
He said that al-Qaeda and the Taleban were regaining control in Afghanistan, and called on all Muslims to bear arms or support those bearing arms to defend Islam. | He said that al-Qaeda and the Taleban were regaining control in Afghanistan, and called on all Muslims to bear arms or support those bearing arms to defend Islam. |
The message is the first apparent reaction by al-Qaeda to Mr Bush's planned "surge" in Iraq. | The message is the first apparent reaction by al-Qaeda to Mr Bush's planned "surge" in Iraq. |
On 5 January, Zawahiri appeared in an audiotape posted on a website urging Somalia's Islamist militias to carry out attacks against Ethiopian troops. | On 5 January, Zawahiri appeared in an audiotape posted on a website urging Somalia's Islamist militias to carry out attacks against Ethiopian troops. |