Al-Qaeda claiming US troop reductions equate to victory in Iraq

See here.

It's obvious that the terrorists are hoping that the cut-and-run crowd wins the day in DC. What was that quote from Howard Dean again where he said something along the lines of "we have to get away from this idea that we're going to win in Iraq"? I'm sure they loved that one.

From the article, which quotes al-Qaeda #2 Ayman al-Zawahri:

"You remember I told you more than a year ago that the American withdrawal from Iraq is only a matter of time, and here they are now . . . negotiating with the mujahedeen," al-Zawahri said.

"Bush was forced at the end of last year to announce that he will pull out his forces from Iraq, but he was giving excuses for his withdrawal that the Iraqi forces have reached a good level."

Bush has not offered concrete details about bringing troops home but said Wednesday that "possible adjustments" would be discussed with Iraqi leaders if progress continued on security and political efforts.

Al-Zawahri said the American forces "with their planes, missiles, tanks and fleets are mourning and bleeding, seeking for a getaway from Iraq."

"Regarding your withdrawal timetable . . . you have to admit, Bush, that you have been defeated in Iraq and are being defeated in Afghanistan and will be defeated in Palestine," he said, speaking calmly but forcefully.