"The Sheikh of the Slaughterers": Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi and the Al-Qa'ida Connection

MEMRI Inquiry & Analysis - Iraq/Jihad & Terrorism Project, July 1, 2005, No. 231, By Dr. Nimrod Raphaeli, Senior Analyst of MEMRI's Middle East Economic Studies Program.

Shortly after the occupation of Iraq in April 2003, Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi emerged as a leading terrorist in that country. While a number of terrorist organizations are operating in Iraq besides the insurgency movement led by Saddam's former intelligence and loyalist groups, Al-Zarqawi's organization combines terrorist activities with an ardent anti-Shi'ite zeal designed to instigate a civil war between the Iraqi Sunnis and the Shi'ites.

This paper explores Al-Zarqawi's words and actions and his linkage with al-Qa'ida under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. Al-Zarqawi initially operated independently of al-Qa'ida. But recently, bin Laden named him the Amir, or commander, of Al-Qa'ida in Iraq. The meaning of this is not clear. Has bin Laden elevated Al-Zarqawi because of his increasing notoriety and his influence among potential Jihadist elements, hoping to forestall his emergence as the single most important terrorist figure? Or does Al-Zarqawi need bin Laden's endorsement to strengthen his grip on the terrorist activities in Iraq?

All the groups currently involved in Iraq as national insurgents or foreign, primarily Islamist, terrorists share a common purpose designed to destabilize the country by:

• Murdering the leaders of the country and members of the security forces and terrorizing innocent civilians
• Destroying the infrastructure and delaying reconstruction

This report focuses on Al-Zarqawi's biographical background including his terrorist activities in Iraq and their religious Islamist roots.