Web posting: Al Qaeda in Iraq leader to target Sunni leaders

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(CNN) -- The newly named leader of al Qaeda in Iraq threatens to attack Sunni government officials in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, according to a statement published Tuesday on a Web site often used by insurgents.

The statement, addressed to "my dear nation," came the day after Islamist Web sites said Abu Hamza al-Muhajer had been named the successor to terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike Wednesday.

It says the death of al-Zarqawi has done nothing to discourage the insurgency and it warns the U.S.-led coalition that "between us are days that will turn your ancestors' hair white."

"Don't let the joy of killing our Sheikh Abu Musab, may God bless his soul, fool you, for he left behind lions," the statement said. "He raised them by himself and they trained in his den. They believe in their ideology, and they fight only for God and in God and through God."

Tuesday's message also called Sunni Arabs who take part in Iraq's new government traitors, saying they have "sold their soul to the crusaders" and threatening that "our swords are ready for your necks."

"Your punishment is near, and your vain towers in the Green Zone won't protect you," it states, referring to the Baghdad compound housing a U.S. military base, embassies and the Iraqi government headquarters.

CNN could not immediately authenticate the statement.

Sunni Arabs had enjoyed a relatively unfettered existence under the regime of Saddam Hussein, a fellow Sunni. But after Hussein's ouster, the Sunnis expressed their disenchantment with efforts to form a new government and were blamed for much of the insurgency.

However, in the December 2005 elections to select a Council of Representatives, or parliament, minority Sunnis -- who make up about 20 percent of the Iraqi population -- voted in much higher numbers than they had in earlier elections.

Though they came in third behind Shiites and Kurds, four Sunni blocs won a collective 59 posts in the 275-seat council, up from 17 seats previously. Other government posts, too, have been filled by Sunnis, including Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who was named speaker of the Council of Representatives.

The Web message did not specify why Sunnis were being singled out, but al-Zarqawi, a Sunni, and his followers were largely blamed for aggravating sectarian tensions between Iraq's Sunnis and Shiites, resulting in hundreds of deaths and other violence.

Al-Muhajer's message does not suggest a cessation of the violence.

"Three years have passed, during which your mujahedeen sons have given the enemy a taste of defeat and loss," the statement read. "With God's permission, your sons have gotten to the final stages and the enemy has nothing left but to show us its back.

"The infidels' camp is in constant collapse."

In Arabic, al-Muhajer means "the immigrant," suggesting that, like the Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi, al Qaeda in Iraq's new leader is a foreigner. Little else is known about al-Muhajer.

But one thing the two men have in common is their pledge of allegiance to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

"We are at your disposal, ready for your command," al-Muhajer wrote. "We bring you the good news that the morale is high among your soldiers. They enjoy dignified spirits that won't kneel down. All of us are under your banner. With God's permission, victory is near."

U.S. counterterrorism officials said Tuesday they are not sure who al-Muhajer is -- or whether he really exists.

The Web posting coincided with a surprise visit Tuesday to Baghdad by President Bush, who met with U.S. troops and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. (Full story)

Asked Monday about the naming of a new al Qaeda in Iraq leader, Bush said, "I think the successor to Zarqawi is going to be on our list to bring to justice," according to The Associated Press.

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