Zarqawi Tape Claims Victories

Iraq's insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi made an audio address to Osama bin Laden on Monday to assure the al Qaeda leader that al-Zarqawi was in good health after being wounded in a fire fight with U.S. troops in Iraq.

There was no way to confirm that the voice was that of Jordanian-born terror leader al-Zarqawi. However, the recording was carried by a Web site frequently used by militant Islamic groups.

CBS News Correspondent Kimberly Dozier reports that he called himself a soldier reporting to his commander. He tells bin Laden that he was on slightly injured the recent battle and denied what he called confusing media reports that he had been gravely wounded.

"I am sure you have heard through the media that I was wounded and treated in a Ramadi hospital. I would like to assure you and the Muslim nation that these were pure allegations. It was a light wound, thank God. We are back fighting them in the land of the two rivers."

The speaker addressed the message as "a letter from a soldier on the firing line to his commander."

The speaker purporting to be al-Zarqawi addressed bin Laden as his "emir," or commander, asked bin Laden for guidelines and orders on conducting the war in Iraq.

Al-Zarqawi also claimed that his insurgent followers had won this month's bloody battle against U.S. troops at the town of Qaim near the Syrian border.

"Al-Qaim was the battlefield where the youth of Mohammed have proved their valiance after ten days of fighting. It was one of the greatest battles of Islam," the speaker said. "Our dear emir, if you want to know our news, we would like to assure you that we are continuing on the path of jihad, we are committed to our pledge. We will either win or die trying."

He also said he's tightening the noose around the enemy and claimed responsibility for a bombing in the town of Hilla yesterday, Dozier reports.

The recording followed previous Internet postings saying the Jordanian was in good health and had returned to lead insurgent attacks in Iraq after being wounded. Al Qaeda in Iraq has claimed responsibility for many of the bloodiest suicide bombings and other attacks against U.S. troops and their Iraqi allies.

Speculation over the group's future leadership has soared since last Tuesday's Internet "announcement" in the name of al Qaeda in Iraq's media coordinator, Abu Maysara al-Iraqi, that al-Zarqawi had been wounded and that Muslims should pray for him.

But one scenario being tossed about, reports CBS News Correspondent David Martin, is that al-Zarqawi is being pushed aside in an internal terrorist group power struggle. But the Pentagon officials are not ruling out the possibility that he is actually injured.

Any number of firefights between insurgents and American forces could have injured Zarqawi, Martin reports. The last time U.S. forces had Zarqawi in their sights and knew it was in February when troops were pursuing his pickup truck while a spy drone tracked him from overhead.

The Sunday Times of London reported that al-Zarqawi was wounded in the chest by shrapnel when a U.S. missile struck his convoy near Qaim three weeks ago. Although it reported the Jordanian may have traveled to Iran for treatment, Tehran denied the report.

But a wound to the leader — or even death — might not cause such leadership mayhem for the terrorist group as some are speculating.

"While Zarqawi is an important character, his organization is bigger than just one guy," said Army Brig. Gen. Carter Ham.

Another web statement Thursday said a Saudi Arabian militant, known as Abu Hafs al-Gerni, had been made the group's interim leader — or "deputy of the holy warriors" — until al-Zarqawi recovered from his wounds.

It said al-Gerni "was known for carrying out the hardest operations, and our sheik would choose him and his group for the tough operations."

That statement was signed in the name of Abu Doujanah al-Tunisi of al Qaeda in Iraq's media committee — an unfamiliar name from past statements.

Shortly after, a rival statement appeared on the same Internet site again in Abu Maysara al-Iraqi's name to reject suggestions that a replacement had been named for al-Zarqawi.

None of the claims could be authenticated, but the continuing flurry of Internet statements and public comments over al-Zarqawi's fate and al Qaeda's future is lending weight to suspicions that change is in the offing in the leadership of Iraq's rampant insurgency.

On Thursday afternoon, U.S. officials couldn't confirm reports of Zarqawi's death or wounding. However, one U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the military's most credible sources lean toward the idea that Zarqawi is injured or wounded, not dead.