BAGHDAD, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq released an audio message taking credit for a failed bomb plot in London and an attack at Glasgow International Airport in 2007.
Two car bombs were dismantled in London before exploding June 29, 2007. The same day, a dark green Jeep Grand Cherokee laden with explosives rammed the entrance of the Glasgow International Airport.
Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, in an audio message dated Oct. 23, says all members of the U.S.-led coalition are targets of the group and pointed to the London attacks as an indication of the ability of al-Qaida in Iraq to direct attacks outside the country.
We "conducted many operations outside Iraq, of which we specifically mention the recent operation in Britain, a good part of which was launched on the airport," the message said.
He boasts in the message that more former Iraqi army officials have joined the ranks of his group than any other force in the country, claiming authority over the Sunni population.
"We had full control over all areas of Sunni people, for almost a year, and we still have full control over a lot of it up to today," he adds, in a translation provided by the SITE intelligence group in Maryland.
The message also makes pointed reference to a series of attempts at Iranian interests in Iraq, including attacks on Iranian diplomats, the Iranian Embassy and "an Iranian intelligence group in the guise of tourists in (the holy city of) Karbala."
