Zarqawi Audiotape Indicates Terrorists Are Running

The Jawa Report:

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has posted an audio message to his followers on an Islamist bulletin board. In the taped message, Zarqawi praises those resisting the US offensive in Fallujah, and urges them to fight on. He also claims that victory is near for those fighting the American troops. However, the tape also implies that Zarqawi himself has fled Fallujah, an indication that he does not believe the city can be held. CBS reports that in a written statement introducing the audiotape at the internet site, the poster wrote that the tape was "short and hasty" because of the "grave" circumstances--another indication that Zarqawi and his al Qaeda in Iraq are on the run. For over a month now, internet websites linked to Zarqawi's terrorist group (formerly known as Tawhid and Jihad) have been abandoned. All of Zarqawi's recent communications have been posted to Islamic bulletin boards--perhaps another indication of the increasing pressure the US is putting on him.

There's more at the link.

It should come as no surprise that the terrorists are being routed from Fallujah. With superior training, communications, weapons, and logistical support, the American and Iraqi Forces have an overwhelming advantage against a ragtag group of fanatics who are reported to be pouring into Iraq from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, among other countries. One also has to question whether the latest groups of terrorists are as able as previous groups. They may not have actually received much training since the Afghanistan War largely deconstructed their curriculum.