Bin Laden urges Iraq insurgents to unite

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Osama bin Laden is urging insurgents in Iraq to unite amid worsening splits between his al-Qaida network and other groups fighting the U.S. military there.

In his third message so far this year, broadcast Monday by the al-Jazeera Arabic language TV news channel and reported by other news outlets, the al-Qaida leader urged groups to work together against their common enemy in the face of efforts to divide them.

"Beware of your enemies, especially those who infiltrate your ranks," he said in Arabic, according to CNN.

"Unify your ranks and make them into one line,” he urged. "Don't be arrogant."

Al-Jazeera said the message was entitled "Letter to the People of Iraq." CNN said it was the first time bin Laden had directly addressed Iraqi insurgents.

According to ABC News, bin Laden warned insurgent leaders, "Your enemies are trying to break up the jihadi groups. It's critical that we work in one united group."

Recently, several Iraqi insurgent groups that previously were allied with or neutral towards al-Qaida have turned against the group, criticizing the violence of its tactics and the extremism of its leaders.

Saying he was speaking to "everyone in the Muslim community," bin Laden urged "scholars and leaders of the jihad" to take on the role of uniting the groups "right now," according to ABC.

Their report said U.S. agencies were still studying the recording, which cannot be dated as it makes no reference to any events. Several people familiar with bin Laden's voice told CNN and ABC that the message appeared to be authentic.