CIA: Taped threat likely al-Zarqawi
 |  Al-Zarqawi is blamed for several attacks on U.S. forces and Iraqi civilians. |
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 Audiotape purportedly by al-Zarqawi threatens interim prime minister.
 Insurgents launched a wave of attacks in Iraqi cities.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The voice vowing to kill Iraq's prime minister is likely that of terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, CIA officials said Thursday after the taped message was analyzed.
Al-Zarqawi is a Jordanian-born Islamic militant U.S. officials say has close ties to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
He is also the key suspect in a wave of insurgent bombings and ambushes in key Iraqi cities Thursday that killed 92 people, coalition officials said.
Hours after the near-simultaneous strikes, the military wing of the Unification and Jihad, a group linked to al-Zarqawi, posted a statement on a Web site that claimed responsibility. (Full story)
The authenticity of the statement could not be verified.
Wednesday's taped audio threat against the life of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi was posted on a Web site that has previously aired statements and video from al-Zarqawi's terrorist group.
"We have prepared a special poison for you and a sharp sword and we have filled a glass for you and we have filled a glass with death especially for you.
"You don't even know how you have repeatedly escaped from our many attempts, but we promise you we will continue the match with you until the end," the voice said.
Allawi has shrugged off death threats, saying he remains determined to bring democracy to Iraq. (Full story)
The suspected voice of al-Zarqawi also threatened to continue attacks against coalition troops, Iraqi security forces and the interim Iraqi government.
Increasing violence appears aimed at disrupting next week's transfer of Iraqi sovereignty.
Coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt called al-Zarqawi "the most important terrorist target in Iraq today," and said one of the top coalition goals is to shut down his network.
Kimmitt said al-Zarqawi is responsible for a number of car bombs, is believed to have admitted to killing American businessman Nicholas Berg, and "probably has a significant responsibility for the killing of the Korean hostage."
The beheaded body of Kim Sun-il, 33, a translator for a South Korean company, was found Tuesday in Baghdad.
CIA officials are still examining images showing Kim's beheading, comparing them with the videotape of Berg's beheading and other recordings in order to decide whether they came from al- Zarqawi's group as claimed.
Kimmitt said al-Zarqawi's plan, as revealed in a letter intercepted by the coalition in February, is to disrupt Iraq's drive to democracy.
"He is intentionally trying to drive a wedge between the different sects within this country, between the Shias and the Sunnis," he said. "He is a Sunni, and he believes that the Shias are even worse than Christians.
"He is intentionally trying to promote a civil war, fracture this country and try to create a Taliban-like nation, one that knows nothing but chaos."
The U.S. government has put a $10 million price on al-Zarqawi's head.
CNN national security correspondent David Ensor contributed to this report.
