A letter to Abu Musab Zarqawi from an Al Qaeda subordinate, Abu Asim al-Qusaymi al-Yemeni, was intercepted and translated by U.S.-led forces. The document contained complaints of low morale, weak and incompetent leadership in the ranks, and dwindling support for jihad. Authorities believe the letter indicates a weakening in Zarqawi's influence and effectiveness.
Chad Evans at In The Bullpen and Rusty Shackleford at The Jawa Report have the whole story covered. My only comment would be with regard to the signature displayed on the letter. It's signed:
Abu 'Asim al-Yamani, al QusaymiI might be reading too much into it, but it seems to be a formal (regulation?) military transmittal inferring that the terrorists are organized in more than one division. Also, the author identifies himself as a member of al-Qaida. Something is fishy.
Al-Qaida Organization, Iraq Division
First, this suggests that the terrorists have instituted bureaucratic administrative requirements for their written communications. Call me skeptical. For an organization with the sole function of killing people while smothered in secrecy to have a style guide for letters is hard to believe. Secondly, for the author to identify himself as a member of al-Qaida makes no sense. Who else would send Zarqawi such a letter? Also, the letter starts by addressing Zarqawi as "The Sheik" which indicates some familiarity. However, it ends in a formal businesslike manner. I would have expected something friendlier or maybe "God is Great" in Arabic. It surprises me that it ends in a manner similar to what my insurance agent sends me. The incongruity makes me suspicious.
Like I said, the ending of the letter seems fishy.
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