Osama Bin Laden threatened that there will be blood for blood along with destruction for destruction. The audio message was fifty-six minutes. Most of the audio message dealt with Iraq. It looks to be an attempt to keep Al-Qaeda’s supporters in Iraq unified. This comes at a time where American forces say that Al-Qaeda’s power and presence has been dramatically reduced.
However, there was no mention on Pakistan or the assassination of Pakistan’s opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto. Though, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have been blamed by Pakistan’s government for Bhutto’s assassination. Both groups have tried to kill Ms. Bhutto for decades. But, it is suggested that the tape was made prior before her assassination.
In regards to Israel, the comments look to use the conflict between Israel and Palestine to ally supporters. Israel has warned of growing activity by Al-Qaeda in the area. But the group has no taken a strong role there at the moment.
“We intend to liberate Palestine, the whole of Palestine from the (Jordan) river to the sea,” Bin Laden said in the audio message.
“We will not recognize even one inch for Jews in the land of Palestine as other Muslim leaders have,” he added.
So far, many Sunni Arab tribes have formed a coalition to fight insurgents linked with Al-Qaeda. Bin Laden says that those tribes have betrayed the nation and the people. He said that they will suffer in the current life and the afterlife.
Tony Fratto, spokesman for the White House said: “The Iraqi people – every day, and in increasing numbers – are choosing freedom and standing against the murderous, hate ideology of AQI. And we stand with them.”
General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said that Al-Qaeda is scared of losing support from the Sunni Arabs. He said that they are targeting leaders of the Awakening Councils.
He said that the way Al-Qaeda is using to counter what’s going on is by attacking the Sunnis. As a result, Sunnis are turning against Al-Qaeda even more.