Zarqawi's Popularity

In a July 9, 2005 letter, Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Laden's #2) told Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, "Among the things which the feelings of the Muslim populace ... will never find palatable are the scenes of slaughtering the hostages." A clear change in strategy...

In November 2005, Zarqawi's family, along with more than 370 of his clan members, disavowed him and his actions with a full page newspaper insert. It was the second public attempt by the family to distance themselves from Zarqawi.