TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS STORY IS TRUE, it’s more support for the “flypaper theory” in which U.S. troops in Iraq are pulling terrorist attacks away from other targets:

DUBAI (Reuters) – A group claiming to be linked to the al Qaeda network said in an audio tape aired on an Arab television station on Sunday that they and not the followers of Saddam Hussein (news – web sites) were behind attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq (news – web sites).

“I swear by God no one from his (Saddam Hussein) followers carried out any jihad operations like he claims…they (attacks) are a result of our brothers in jihad,” said the unidentified voice on the tape which was broadcast by Dubai-based Al Arabiya television.

Can we believe this? Beats me.