Islamabad, Aug 19: An audiotape, purportedly from an al-Qaida militant, calls on Muslims around the world to travel to Iraq and fight the US-led occupation. The speaker on the audiotape, aired yesterday on al-Arabiya television, claimed to be Abdur Rahman al-Najdi, a Saudi-born militant sought by the United States.
A wanted poster for al-Najdi was circulated by US forces in Afghanistan earlier this year, alongside others for Osama bin Laden, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and other militants. Western intelligence sources believe the Taliban, al-Qaida and fighters loyal to Afghan rebel leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar are working together to oppose US-led forces and the Afghan government.
The tape was thought to be the first public call by bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network for Muslims to join the fight in Iraq.
In Washington, a US official familiar with the audio message could not confirm its authenticity. However, the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said al-Najdi is a known senior al-Qaida propagandist and financier who has released messages in the past to boost the morale within al-Qaida's ranks.
His real name is Sa'd Muhammad Mubarak al-Jubayri al-Shahri, the official said. He also goes by Abu Anas al-Tabuki, Osman and Abu Uthman.
Bureau Report