Mujahideen in Ain Al-Hilweh Establish a New Jihad Group to Fight against the Lebanese Government

On May 23, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué by a group of mujahideen from the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain Al-Hilweh in Lebanon. The communiqué, which was issued by GIMF, accuses that the Lebanese government and military are massacring Muslims in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr Al-Bared in the north of the country. It is further stated that the U.S. and the Saudi regime have sanctioned the massacre, which indicates that it is "part of a crusade against Islam and the Muslims."

The message then announces the establishment of a jihad group in Ain Al-Hilweh which will retaliate for the "disgusting crimes [committed] in the Nahr Al-Bared refugee camp," and threatens the Lebanese government that the "fighting will spread if the Crusaders and apostates continue their attacks [against] our people in the north." The communiqué warns the Fatah members in Lebanon not to fight against the organization Fath Al-Islam, "otherwise we will fiercely attack [the Fatah activists]... in Ain Al-Hilweh." The message ends with a call on all Muslims in the Lebanese refugee camps to pick up their arms and defend Islam and Muslims.

Fath Al-Islam Calls on Muslims throughout the World to Join It in the Battle against the "Enemies of Allah"

On May 21, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué by the Lebanese Palestinian organization Fath Al-Islam. In the message, Fath Al-Islam identifies itself as a Salafi organization[1] and calls on the Muslims throughout the world to help it in its war against the "enemies of Allah," who, it threatens, are about to meet a tragic and bitter end.

The following are excerpts:

"This is a call to the soldiers of Allah wherever they be... Your brothers ask you to help them and support them in every possible way... Our way is [the way] of the Koran and of the Prophet's Sunna, according to the Salafi tradition of the Islamic nation...

"[Enemies] from all over the world have attacked us just because we have raised the banner of monotheism... Oh descendents of the [Muslim] conquerors, hurry up and show the world what support for Allah [looks like] when you are joined in battle by someone who [fights] at your side, and by someone who is willing to sacrifice himself in order to help you...

For you, enemies of Allah, [we have] an announcement that will upset you: We swear that a most difficult battle awaits you... We will bring so much death upon you that a plague will seem desirable [to you]... You are the essence of depravity and evil, and your fate will be similar to that of the People of the Sabbath [i.e., the Jews]...

Our [Muslim] brothers, if you are weary of hearing words of condemnation and blame... and you long to hear the sound of the swords of the Lions [i.e., the mujahideen]... come and help us in any way you can.

And you, apostate leaders and minions of the Devil... the knights of Allah have reached you, and they are attacking you [everywhere], from the land of Al-Sham[2] to Jerusalem, and all over the world. The hour of revenge has come. The head of heresy will soon be cast down and we will step on the necks of the infidels..."

In New Video, Al-Zawahiri Eulogizes Taliban Commander Mullah Dadullah

On May 23, 2007, Al-Qaeda's media production company Al-Sahab posted a 6-minute video by Ayman Al-Zawahiri in which he eulogizes Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah, recently killed in Afghanistan. The video, which is accompanied by English subtitles, shows a still image of Al-Zawahiri and footage of Dadullah, while Al-Zawahiri's message is heard in the background.

Following are its main points.

Al-Zawahiri first praises the courage of Dadullah, whom he calls "the leader of martyrdom-seekers," saying that he "died amongst his troops while leading an attack against the Crusaders and their helpers, aimed at purging the soil of Afghanistan of their defilement." Next, Al-Zawahiri assures the mujahideen that Dadullah's death does not mean the death of jihad, since Dadullah left behind him "hundreds of martyrdom-seekers who anxiously await the order to attack the Crusaders and their helpers." He adds that, "if the [death] of the Emir of the martyrdom-seekers, Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi, marked the beginning of the dreadful collapse of the Americans in Iraq, then the martyrdom of... Mullah Dadullah shall break the back of the Crusaders... in Afghanistan and hasten their imminent defeat..." Lastly, Al-Zawahiri addresses Mullah Omar, saying: "[Though] the martyrdom of your brother Dadullah is hard on the Muslims, it heralds [our] victory."

The video can be viewed at:

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=868795&ak=null

Below are images from the video: