Lots of readers e-mailing about new reports that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is wounded and possibly dying. Athena at Terrorism Unveiled writes:

An al-Qa’ida website posted today that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been wounded and asked for Muslims to pray for his recovery.

Just about a week ago, however, there was a report by an Iraqi doctor that Zarqawi came into Ramadi and was wounded very badly. The doctor tended to him and urged him to stay put, but apparently, he and his entourage quickly chose to leave the town. (He is known to never stay long in one place).

But why would al-Qa’ida publish something such as this, which is bad news for them, when they are skilled in the art of public relations and propaganda?

In my opinion, Zarqawi might actually be in a precarious situation where he could die from these wounds. After the intitial report from the Iraqi
doctor, a website released a letter praising Zarqawi, ending with, “By Allah, I love al-Zarqawi.”

It seems like it could be the case that Zarqawi was badly wounded in the al-Qaim assault near the Syrian border, was shuffled to Ramadi (which is on the road to Baghdad from al-Qaim and part of the Sunni triangle), quickly left, and is now in serious condition with his wounds.

This most recent posting, could actually be an attempt to rally the Muslims, so if he does recover, the people can argue it was because of the prayers of the
Muslim people.

US and Iraqi intelligence have not been able to confirm the latest report.

Update: Bill Roggio at Winds of Change weighs in.

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