Al Qaeda's new leader in Iraq vowed on Tuesday to avenge the killing of his predecessor Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, saying Americans and their Iraqi allies would not be safe in their strongholds, according to a Web statement.
"The day of vengeance is near and your strong towers in the Green Zone will not protect you," said the statement posted on a Web site often used by Islamist militants and signed by the new leader Abu Hamza al-Muhajir.
The authenticity of the statement could not be verified. It would be Muhajir's first public statement since being named the new leader of al Qaeda in Iraq.
"Coming battles will reveal the falseness of your power and the cowardliness of your soldiers," Muhajir said. "Do not rejoice that you killed (Zarqawi), he has left behind lions that ... trained under him.
"You will see what we have in store for you because of your betrayal and apostasy. Our swords are poised above your necks," he told Iraqis who cooperate with US-led forces.