December 28, 2004

Zarqawi Takes Credit for Assassination Attempt

- Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The group of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility Tuesday for the assassination attempt against the leader of Iraq's largest Shiite Muslim party that killed and wounded dozens of people.

In a statement posted on an internet web site, al-Zarqawi's al-Qaida in Iraq said one of its members carried out the suicide attack near Abdel Aziz al-Hakim's office Monday that killed 15 people and wounded more than 50. Al-Hakim, who was not in the office but in his adjacent house, was not hurt.


The assassination attempt was thankfully a failure, which makes it a bit odd that Al Qaeda in Iraq is willing to take credit for a failed attempt. Zarqawi and his group has issued statements with failures before, however there have been numerous failed attempts of suicide bombings directed by Zarqawi they have not taken credit for.

In most communications from Tawhid wal Jihad (Al Qaeda in Iraq), credit is either taken for successful operations or denied from successful operations. The group is quick to take credit for the killing of several innocent Iraqis, which somehow makes them feel proud. While people did die in the assassination attempt, it did not kill the intended target.

While Al Qaeda in Iraq wants nothing more than Democracy to fail in Iraq, which is why they target Iraqi officials, they missed their ultimate goal. Was the suicide bomber too quick to pull the trigger like other terrorists?

Cross-posted at In the Bullpen

By at 08:21 PM | |