Zarqawi only 'lightly wounded'

2005-05-31 08:55

Dubai - Al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said he was "lightly" wounded but still battling alongside his fighters in Iraq, in a voice message attributed to him posted on the Internet.

"After the information according to which I was seriously wounded... I want to reassure you that all this is pure rumour and totally unfounded... but there are light wounds," said the voice attributed to Zarqawi.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the statement, posted on the website on Monday following a series of sometimes conflicting messages about the health of the Jordanian-born extremist and his role in the insurgency.

Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted man, said in the message that he was still in Iraq and would take part in the struggle against the "Crusaders" and the enemies of Islam, according to the recording, which was dated May 27.

Fighting 'the Crusaders'

"I am currently with my brothers and my people in the land of Mesopotamia, where I am participating in combats against the Crusaders and the enemies of religion," the voice said.

The author of the message said that the resistance plan was in operation "as planned" adding that fugitive al-Qaeda head Osama bin Laden had been informed.

"If the plan is successfully carried out, its consequences will make all Muslims happy and will upset the infidels," he continued.

He also berated Iraq Shiites, particularly their Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, for supporting the United States-led forces, saying that without that support "the situation of the Americans would be different".

A statement last week on an Islamist website said that Iraq's most wanted man was wounded and command had passed to a deputy, while another message on Friday said he was in good health and directing insurgent operations.

Another statement on Saturday said Zarqawi was overseeing a response to a security push launched by Iraqi forces against rebels in Baghdad that resulted in a string of bombings at the weekend.

The new message also comes after The Sunday Times newspaper in London reported that Zarqawi was moved to Iran after a US air strike left him with shrapnel lodged in his chest, a charge fiercely denied by Tehran.

General Richard Myers, the outgoing chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Sunday that the United States "tends to believe" the claims that Zarqawi has been wounded.

The one-legged extremist was hunted in vain by US-led forces in the massive "Operation Matador" earlier this month near the Iraqi-Syrian border.

US military officials said they had captured Zarqawi's driver but just missed their big target at a checkpoint in western Iraq in February.

Zarqawi is believed to have jumped out of a truck near Hit, about 150km west of Baghdad, according to US officials, leaving his computer and cash behind.

- AFP