Naseer Al-Nahr • Asharq Al-Awsat

BAGHDAD, 5 July 2003 — An audiotape purporting to be from Saddam Hussein and aired by Arabic television channel Al-Jazeera yesterday urged Iraqis to support resistance to US forces and warned Americans of more bloodshed to come.

In the latest clash yesterday US forces killed 11 gunmen who tried to ambush a military patrol northwest of Baghdad, the US military said. No confirmation was available that the voice on the tape was indeed that of the former Iraqi president, who has not been seen in public since American forces ousted him on April 9.

But the voice, which said he was well and in Iraq, sounded like Saddam and the bellicose language and tone of the message was similar to his previous speeches. “The next few days, God willing, will be arduous for the infidel invaders and honorable for the faithful...,” the voice on the tape said, addressing the Iraqi people.

“I urge you to protect the heroic resistance fighters and not to give the infidel invaders or their aides any information or help about their operations,” said the voice, which added that the recording was made on June 14. “I am in Iraq and with a comrade,” said the voice on the tape. “I tell you that I miss you, miss you, oh beloved people, even though I am among you and in your ranks.” Most Iraqis in Baghdad had not heard the message.

Bush is taking fire back home for what his Democratic opponents call “macho rhetoric” that can only invite more guerrilla-style attacks on American soldiers. The tempest was sparked by comments made by the president on Wednesday.

—Additional inputs from agencies