al-Qaeda Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers -- Successor

al-Qaeda in Iraq, al-Tawhid, al-Zarqawi network, Monotheism and Holy Struggle, Tanzim Qa'idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, Unification and Jihad

Monotheism and Jihad's objective is to establish an Islamic state in Iraq.  In order to achieve this, the group aims to force the U.S.-led coalition out of Iraq and overthrow the interim Iraqi government.  Monotheism and Jihad is an insurgent group dedicated to committing terrorist attacks against the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, as well as Iraqi government officials and security forces.   In connection to the assassination of an Iraqi governing councilman, the group announced that he had been targeted for betraying his religion and cooperating with the U.S. and its allies.  While Monotheism and Jihad is an insurgent group against the Iraqi government, it is also motivated by radical religious beliefs.   The group is believed to be comprised of foreign terrorists, elements of the Kurdish Islamist group Ansar al-Islam, and indigenous Sunni Iraqis.   <P>

Monotheism and Jihad has engaged in kidnappings, beheadings, assassinations, and suicide bombings.  The group has also utilized rocket-propelled grenades.  The insurgent group has been linked to several gruesome attacks, including the beheading of U.S. contractor Nicholas Berg.  Monotheism and Jihad does not limit its attacks to the United States, its military allies, and Iraqi government officials and security forces.  The group has also carried out attacks on the United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and Kurdish politicians and religious figures.  On October 17, 2004, Monotheism and Jihad announced their allegiance to Usama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.   The group pledged to respect al-Qaeda's orders and instructions.<br /><p><br />In a speech broadcast over the internet on January 23, 2005, Zarqawi denounced the upcoming Iraqi elections, calling candidates "demi-idols" and voters "infidels." Zarqawi's statement, declaring a "fierce war" against democracy, accused the Americans of rigging the election to favor Iraq's Shi'ite population. Security has been widely increased in preparation for the elections, but both American and Iraqi sources anticipate widespread violence from both Zarqawi's group and al-Qaeda. Also, refer to TKB's terrorist-entity profile for <a href= ?id=4416> Zarqawi's successor terrorist organization, Tanzim Qa'idat Al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn.  </a>