CIA: al-Qaida-Linked Tape Likely Real

By KATHERINE PFLEGER SHRADER

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An audiotape from a shadowy terrorist linked to al-Qaida is "probably authentic," marking the first time Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has made a taped public statement, a CIA official said Wednesday.

The 33-minute audiotape, calling for Iraq's Sunni Muslims to fight Shiites and claiming responsibility for high-profile attacks there, appeared Tuesday on a Web site known for distributing militant Islamic messages. The speaker introduced himself as al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian believed to be running a terrorist network that stretches from Europe to Central Asia.

Also known as Ahmed al-Khalayleh, al-Zarqawi is also thought to be a close associate of Osama bin Laden and has ties to terrorist groups ranging from Ansar al Islam in Iraq to Egyptian Islamic Jihad. He's believed to be behind many attacks in Iraq, including at least a dozen high-profile operations.

Full Article