Al-Zarqawi’s group has claimed responsibility for some of the bloodiest attacks against U.S. forces and Iraqi officials. He was publicly appointed by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden as his deputy in Iraq last year.

The speaker, who made a reference that suggested the tape was recorded in late March, identified himself as Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and said that the holy war, or jihad, was still being waged vigorously two years after the U.S. invasion.