An audio tape purportedly from al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has urged militants to prepare for a lengthy holy war against US-led forces in Iraq, saying victory could take months and years. The speaker, who identified himself as the Jordanian militant, said insurgents were crushing the morale of "tyrant" America and called on them to be patient in their street battles because God had promised victory.
The tape, posted on an Islamist Web site on Thursday, was not dated. The speaker mentioned Eid but it was not clear if he was referring to Eidul-Azha which started on Thursday or Eidul-Fitr which took place in November after US and Iraqi forces launched an assault against insurgents in Falluja.
"The fruits of jihad (holy war) come after much patience and a lengthy stay in the battlefield ... which could last months and years," he said. "In the fight against the arrogant American tyrant who carries the flag of the cross, we find that despite its military might it is being crushed emotionally and morally.
"Our battle with the enemy is a battle of streets and towns and has many tactical, defensive and offensive methods. Fierce wars are not decided in days or weeks," he said, adding that US forces had not achieved victory by entering Falluja.
The speaker, addressing bin Laden, pledged to remain on the path of jihad. He said the assault on the Sunni Muslim city of Falluja had only strengthened the jihadists and exposed the "apostate" Iraqi government and "ugly face of the rejectionists (Shias)" and their leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.