New Twist in the Information War: Zarqawi Clashes With His Spiritual Mentor
The AP and USA Today report that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has threatened his Ismalist spiritual mentor, Isam Mohammed al-Barqawi. Earlier this month Barqawi (B, not Z) was detained by Jordanian authorities.
The AP reports:
Al-Barqawi, known in militant circles as Abu Mohammed al-Maqdisi, said in an interview with Al-Jazeera from Jordan last week that militants in Iraq should revise their tactics, saying “the number of Iraqis killed in suicide operations has become a tragedy.”
To Zarqawi this means his spiritual adviser is listening “to Satan”:
Terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi criticized his spiritual mentor for urging militants in Iraq to rein in attacks on civilians and warned that the sheik’s comments could split Islamic fighters, according to a purported statement posted on an Islamic Web site Tuesday.
The statement, signed by al-Zarqawi, warned his sheik — Isam Mohammed al-Barqawi — “do not follow the path of Satan that leads to your destruction. Beware, our noble sheik, of the trick of God’s enemies to lure you to drive a wedge in the ranks of the mujahedeen.”
Bringing the terror war “home to Middle East” has forced this confrontation– and make no mistake, this is a significant split. For months StrategyPage has reported the change in Iraqi and then Arab attitudes regarding both Zarqawi’s militants and the Saddamist holdouts.
Here are further details:
Al-Barqawi, who has known al-Zarqawi for more than a decade and taught him radical ideology in prison, gave the interview after he was released from a Jordanian prison. The sheik was arrested again by the Jordanians soon after the interview was taped on suspicion of contacts with militant groups.
In the interview, al-Barqawi said suicide bombings should be carried out, only if necessary so that “no harm would befall Islam.” He also disagreed with al-Zarqawi on killing Shiites — a frequent target of attacks by al-Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent groups.
Al-Zarqawi defended attacks on Shiites, saying they had “sacrificed soldiers on behalf of the infidel occupier and supported them against the sincere mujahedeen.”
Barqawi is still a dedicated Islamist– but he’s now had a close-hand glimpse of how his words have spurred heinous murder. Harm has befallen Islam in reputation and in blood — harm fostered by Islamist terrorists.
See the previous post (this week’s column) for background on Al Qaeda’s “information strategy” –and how its may yet lose audience interest.
This does look promising - the first sign of a split in the insurgency. But what actions will Barqawi take to back this up? And what happens if Zarqawi (or some other person) finally decides that Barqawi’s possible defection is too much of a risk?
Comment by HaroldHutchison — 7/13/2005 @ 10:56 am
Human beings do not do these things A suicide bomber killed 24 children in Iraq today. He drove up to a Humvee where 4 US soldiers were handing out candy to children and deton…
Trackback by Media Lies — 7/13/2005 @ 12:33 pm
[…] Our Infighting Plays Over There Filed under: Uncategorized — thad @ 6:58 pm Austin Bay (via Instapundit) links to a ‘theocratic’ dispute within Al Q’aida. Think for a sec […]
Pingback by Sender Freies » Think About How Our Infighting Plays Over There — 7/13/2005 @ 8:59 pm
Oh but remember, we’re losing the war on terror as long as they can cause a paper cut anywhere in the West.
Comment by Mike G — 7/13/2005 @ 8:59 pm
I think we can see a divergence has developed between Islamism and Jihadism. More here.
Comment by Donald Sensing — 7/13/2005 @ 9:30 pm
I think a divergence has emerged between Islamism and its stepchild, Jihadism. More here.
Comment by Donald Sensing — 7/13/2005 @ 9:32 pm
Zarqawi is quite notorious for despising Shi’ites especially. Al Qaeda unleashed a true monster in that one.
Comment by Cutler — 7/14/2005 @ 12:12 am
Problems in Shangri-La Zarqawi has always struck me as an incredibly forceful and ruthless personality, the perfect enforcer. He also has a reputation for positively despising Shi’ites…
Trackback by Cutler's Yankee Station — 7/14/2005 @ 12:30 am
Harold, this is NOT the first sign, Sir. There have been reports for nearly two months on pitched battles NEAR Allied troops in Iraq, but not WITH our troops. Its thugs vs thugs, and happy I am to let them go at each other’s throats!
Comment by Carridine — 7/14/2005 @ 12:47 am
“Human beings do not do these things” That is the title antimedia, of Media Li
Trackback by CatHouse Chat — 7/14/2005 @ 8:28 am
[…] « MARCH AGAINST TERROR INFIGHTING This type of terror infighting is very similar to the fight between Bin Laden and his spiritual mentor, […]
Pingback by 1754BLOG.COM » Blog Archive » INFIGHTING — 7/14/2005 @ 9:08 am
Taking Angles against the insurgency. A little welcome news from USA TODAY Terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi criticized his spiritual mentor for urging militants in Iraq to rein in attacks on civilians and warned that the sheik’s comments could split Islamic fighters, accordin…
Trackback by Red State Rant — 7/14/2005 @ 10:25 am
[…] ensing @ 12:25 pm. Filed under War on terror, Religion, Analysis, Trends Austin Bay documents how al Qaeda’s chief in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has had a falling out wi […]
Pingback by One Hand Clapping » Blog Archive » The Forever Jihad, part 2: Islamism v. Jihadism — 7/17/2005 @ 10:38 pm