http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/security_zawahri_dc15 minutes ago
DUBAI (Reuters) - Ayman al-Zawahri, the number two figure in al Qaeda, appeared in a new videotape aired on Al Jazeera on Thursday, ridiculing U.S. forces which he said were "hiding in their trenches" in Afghanistan (news - web sites).
Zawahri, the right-hand man of Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (news - web sites), spoke to camera for several minutes in the videotape, wearing a white turban with a machine gun at his side.
"East and south Afghanistan have become an open arena for the Mujahideen (jihad fighters). The enemy are limited to their capitals," he said.
"In Kabul, the Americans and peacekeeping forces are hiding from the shells of the Mujahideen and expect martyrdom (suicide) attacks at every moment," Zawahri said.
He made no mention of U.S. forces in Iraq (news - web sites), which are fighting an insurgency against the U.S.-backed government.