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Today the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released
a letter between two senior al Qa'ida leaders, Ayman al-Zawahiri
and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, that was obtained during counterterrorism
operations in Iraq. This lengthy document provides a comprehensive
view of al Qa'ida's strategy in Iraq and globally.
The letter from al-Zawahiri to al-Zarqawi is dated July 9, 2005.
The contents were released only after assurances that no ongoing
intelligence or military operations would be affected by making
this document public.
The document has not been edited in any way and is released in
its entirety in both the Arabic
and English translated forms.
The United States Government has the highest confidence in the letter's
authenticity.
Al-Zawahiri's letter offers a strategic vision for al Qa'ida's
direction for Iraq and beyond, and portrays
al Qa'ida's senior leadership's isolation and dependence.
Among the letter's highlights are discussions indicating:
- The centrality of the war in Iraq for the global jihad.
- From al Qa'ida's point of view, the war does not end with an
American departure.
- An acknowledgment of the appeal of democracy to the Iraqis.
- The strategic vision of inevitable conflict, with a tacit recognition
of current political dynamics in Iraq; with a call by al-Zawahiri
for political action equal to military action.
- The need to maintain popular support at least until jihadist
rule has been established.
- Admission that more than half the struggle is taking place "in
the battlefield of the media."
Letter in Arabic
Letter in English
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