AN audiotape on an Islamist website purportedly from Iraq's most wanted man, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, urged his supporters to brace for new battles against US forces after the showdown in Fallujah. "The enemy... has mobilised most of its assets and potential to destroy Islam in Fallujah. Once they have finished in Fallujah, they will head towards you," the voice on the tape said, urging insurgents to seize the initiative. "Be cautious and foil their plan," he said, in an implicit recognition that the week-long battle in Fallujah, the rebel hotspot west of Baghdad, was virtually lost for the insurgents under US assault for the past week. The message was addressed to "the heroes of Baghdad and Al-Anbar", the province which is home to Fallujah, to "the lions of Mosul" in northern Iraq and the "lion cubs of Diyala, Samarra and Salahadin".
"The enemy are avoiding fighting us for fear of being dispersed and of a war of attrition," and "they are weak and cannot widen the battle," it said, warning that US forces would confront one insurgent stronghold after another. "Don't be satisfied with repelling them from your territory... Shower them with rockets and mortar rounds," said the man claiming to be Zarqawi, apparently giving orders to his fighters. "Cut all their supply lines, the main and secondary ones... and carry out ambushes on these routes. Make sure that the initiative in the battle remains in your hands ... Prolong the battle because each day, for them, is worse than the one before. The enemy is counting on the time factor to reduce the rhythm of the battle and lessen its intensity."
| So, Abu Musab, how're things in Teheran? |
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