Letter from al-Zawahiri to al-Zarqawi

[DDilegge]

Letter from al-Zawahiri to al-Zarqawi
October 11, 2005
ODNI News Release No. 2-05

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."

Entire letter in English

[Jedburgh]

...and for those who can read Arabic, here's that version so you can compare it with the translation:

Zawahiri's Letter - Arabic (16 pages)

[77Marine98]

Re: Comparing the English version against the Arabic.

For two reasons.

First, much is lost in translation. Still, I would think the intel community would get this one right, this is an important IO item. Though I think the effect may have been greater if we hadn't waited since July to release this days before the constitutional referendum. Just thinking out loud, but maybe we could have taken greater advantage of this letter.

Second this carries over to numerous Arab news services and internet sites. Comparing the English version (if available) against the Arabic is like night and day in many cases.