There are reports that the mujahedin in Iraq have appointed a deputy commander, but the jihadists themselves have denied it. Apparently. “Militants ‘deny Zarqawi claims,'” from the BBC, with thanks to Granny Weatherwax:
Claims that al-Qaeda militants in Iraq have appointed a deputy commander have been denied in a statement on a website often used by the group.
The message followed a posting on a lesser known website that a new chief would take control while leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi recovers from wounds.
The authenticity of either statement cannot be verified….
The statements containing the reports of injury to Zarqawi and his temporary replacement both called on Muslims to pray for the regional al-Qaeda leader.
“We will go on in our way of jihad until victory or martyrdom and we call upon Muslims to pray for the mujahideen and for the safety of our sheikh.”