Zawahri warns Muslims about Obama’s Intentions
On Monday, an Islamist website reported Al Qaeda’s second-in-command warning Muslims to remain unimpressed by U.S. President Barack Obama’s policies which are, according to him, the same as those of his predecessor, George W. Bush.
In an audio recording on the website, Ayman al-Zawaahri said, “America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us. He is calling for change, but (he aims) to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights.”
According to Zawahri, Obama’s election is a clear acknowledgement of the fact that Bush’s policy had not worked. The Egyptian militant leader said, “Obama did not change the image of America among Muslims…America is still killing Muslims.”
Obama is determined to continue anti-terrorism activity along with his promise to bring about major changes in U.S. policies under Bush, who started a war against terrorism after the 9/11 attacks by Al Qaeda in 2001.
Zawahri argued that Islamist fighters were overpowering the United States army in Afghanistan and Iraq and expressed criticism for Obama’s continued diversion of troops to Afghanistan. An additional 17,000 troops have been deployed by Washington to reinforce about 70,000 international troops in the high-conflict areas of Afghanistan.
Other moves planned by the Obama administration to counter the Taliban, Al Qaeda allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan include sending greater economic assistance and enhancing diplomacy among the nations.
Zawahri also called on Palestanians to target Israelis and warned Hamas, a Palestinian militant group against buckling under pressure from Egypt and President Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian government to recognize Israel.
He said, “If circumstances were difficult in one place they are easier in other places. Our enemies, crusaders and Jews, are scattered everywhere.”
Negotiations are being initiated by Egypt between Israel and Hamas, the group controlling Gaza. This is after an Israeli offensive occurred in December and January in the coastal strip.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been emphasized by Al Qaeda leaders to increase their scale of support and influence, as the matter is perceived by many Arabs and Muslims as a common cause. Still, little evidence has been found by intelligence officials about the group’s presence in Palestinian areas.
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