Al-Qaeda in Iraq vowed Sunday to carry out "major attacks," insisting in a Web statement that it was still strong after the death of leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
The statement said the group's leadership "renews its allegiance" to Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden "will see things that will bring joy to his heart," it said, vowing "to prepare major attacks that will shake the enemy like an earthquake and rattle them out of sleep."
The statement said al-Qaeda in Iraq's leadership met after al-Zarqawi's death and "agreed to continue jihad and not be affected by his martyrdom." "The organization has strengthened its back, regained its footing and has been renewed with fresh blood," it said.
"For those who were waging jihad for the sake of al-Zarqawi, al-Zarqawi is dead. But for those who were fighting for the sake of God, God is alive and eternal," it said.
Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told "Fox News Sunday" he expected the statement from al-Qaeda in Iraq because "they're hurt badly." According to him, there had been a "steady drumbeat" of operations against al-Zarqawi's network since the leader's hideout was bombed. "It's expected but I think we'll be prepared for it," Casey said of the threat. "But again, you can't stop terrorist attacks completely."
