This transcript is from the As-Sahab (Clouds Enterprise) video that was re-released on Monday (July 19, 2004). The Video had English Subtitles and the following is an exact copy of what was written.

Statement from the Mujahid Sheikh Ossama Bin Laden to the American people and the Muslims in Iraq on the occasion of the aggression against Iraq

First Released: August, 2003
Re-Released: July 19, 2004

The Video is 31 minutes, 11 seconds long.

Begin Video

All Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and there is no enmity except for the oppressors.

As for what follows:
From Ossama bin Muhammad bin Laden to the American people regarding their aggression against Iraq.

Peace be upon those who follow guidance.

People of America, some people had held you in high esteem in the past, however now the majority of you have been exposed as wretched people who have no part in noble conduct. You vote for the most corrupt amongst you whose lies have increased and whose manners have decreased. Your wealthiest and most powerful in media and influence treat you like their slaves, especially the Jews who manipulate you from behind them.

They do this under the delusion of democracy in order to prop up Israelis and their plans to attack our religion at the expense of our blood and land as well as your blood and economy

Recent events have proved this.

What pushed you to attack Iraq, who has nothing for you, except to prove that you are manipulated? Bush came and with him his gang, the people of extravagant shoes and cold hearts who are a great harm upon the blood, wealth, environment and moral conduct of the whole of mankind. They came to inflict relentless powerful blows on truthfulness which is the foundation of moral conduct, each one landing from their position until they have made it a professional skill before the world. Through this behaviour of theirs they promote hypocrisy. They purchase immunity and abuse it. They spread political corruption at the level of international heads of states without any shame. These individuals and their leaders delight in lying, war, plunder and killing for the sake of their own appetites. Their smoking pipes are still dripping with blood from corpses of the children of Vietnam and Somalis, and from the children of Afghanistan and Iraq. Therefore they regard you as trivial and exploit you.

Once again they wage war on Iraq. They lie to you, and to the whole world.

It is said: "The nations are only their good behaviour as long as it remains. When their good behaviour departs, they too depart."

So Bush pushes your sons into the mouth of a lion to slaughter and to be slaughtered claiming that he is defending world peace and America whilst concealing the truth of the matter.

On the one hand he executed the demands of the Zionist lobby who helped him to enter the White House by destroying the powerful Iraqi army neighbouring the Jews in occupied Palestine without concern for the natural consequences on your blood and wealth. On the other hand, he conceals his lust, and the lust of this lobby for Iraq and her oil. Bush still thinks with the mindset of his forefathers who used to murder the native-Indians in order to steal their land, plunder their resources, thinking that they were easy prey and a field trip.

However, Allah destined for him in Baghdad, the abode of the Caliphate, brave men like lions, for whom the taste of death in their mouths is more sweet than honey. These lions, by the Grace of Allah, turned their gains into losses and their joy into sorrow and their condition has became as it is said: 'glad to have saved one's skin.'

So all Praise be to Allah, who exposes the shameful lies of Bush, humiliated him and made your suffering multiplied.

I say to Bush: "If you escape from them, then you escape from a calamity. Otherwise I do not deem you safe."

I say to him that your call to arms throughout the world, and your begging of mercenaries from every place, even the minor states, has shattered your pride, degraded your status and demonstrated your weakness after you had claimed to defend the world and its people.

So your condition became as is said: "He used to seek the people's help from the king's sword. And now he has begun to fear for himself from those who protect him."

So let the oppressors know, that we reserve the right to retaliate at the correct time, in the appropriate place, against every nation who participated in this immoral war; particularly Britain, Spain, Australia, Poland, Japan and Italy. There is no exception for those who participate in this war from the corrupt governments of the Islamic world, especially the Gulf States, the most prominent being Kuwait the landing base for the Crusader forces.

Likewise I say to the American soldiers in Iraq: After the light of the day has appeared, and the lies have been exposed and the truth has become apparent, then your stay upon the land of Iraq has compounded oppression and extreme stupidity. All you do is sell your earthly existence for the earthly existence of others. Your blood is being spilt to increase the bank accounts of the White House gang and those with them, from arms dealers and conniving corporate figures. Clearly the most foolish of people are those who sell their earthly existence for the earthly existence of others. If you meet death at the hands of these heroes of Islam in Iraq, then that is your just reward.

As it is said: "The oppressor brings its people down. An oppression is his character and disposition."

We incite our brothers to fight and attack you and cause slaughter amongst you, as it is said: "The Knights ride on the day of terror, Proficient in stabbing blood vessels and kidneys."

And finally I say to the American people that we will continue to fight you by the Permission of Allah. We will continue Martyrdom operations both in and outside of the United States until you remove your oppression, leave your stupidity, and restrain your idiots. Know that we remember our dead, may Allah have mercy upon them, particularly those in Palestine who have been murdered by the hands of your allies - the Jews.

We will take revenge for them with your blood by the Permission of Allah, just like on that day of New York. Remember what I said on that day concerning our safety and your safety.

As for Baghdad, the abode of the Caliphate - you will never take it, by the Permission of Allah. We will fight you as long as our hands are able to grasp a weapon. Should it fall, then in the hands of our sons. Let our mother's bereave us, so long as a trace of you remain on our land.

"And how can someone sleep at night, whose concern is fighting you until your oppression stops, I swear by the Lord you will not take these with force as long as a sword stands. And if a people fights me I fight them, skulls are struck with sharp swords. So there is no peace until disbelief falls from the battle and there is no resolution until it contains their losses."

Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.

Allah is our Protector, and you have none.

First Speech Ends - Begin Second Speech

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the one who says, "Whoever is killed defending his wealth is a Martyr, and whoever is killed defending his blood is a Martyr, and whoever is killed defending his religion is a Martyr, and whoever is killed defending his family is a Martyr."

As for what follows:
This is the second letter to our Muslim brothers in Iraq, O grandsons of Sa'd, Al-Muthanna, Khalid, Al-Mu'anna, and of Salah Al-Din.

Peace, mercy and the blessings of Allah be upon you! I greet you and salute your hard work and blessed Jihad. By Allah, you have caused great slaughter amongst the enemy and you have caused happiness to enter the hearts of the Muslims in general and the people of Palestine in particular. May Allah give you the best reward.

Your Jihad is an appreciated Jihad.

May Allah make your feet steadfast and make accurate your shooting. Your excellence is due to Allah, so who can deny your achievement?

"May Allah not distance me from you, You who are men after dismounting but crazed warriors when riding. Lions of the jungle with no substitutes except spears and sharp Indian swords."

Rejoice as America has become trapped in the marshes of the Tigris and Euphrates. Bush had thought that Iraq and its oil were easy prey, yet he is in an uncomfortable dilemma by the Grace of Allah Most High.

Here is America today screaming at its loudest, becoming exhausted in front of the whole world. So all Praise be to Allah, who repelled her plotting to the point that she seeks help from the lowest of people, and begs for mercenaries from the east and west. There is no surprise in what you do to America from the humiliation you bring upon them. You are the sons of those mighty warriors who carried Islam to the east until they reached as far as China. So what is needed from you is an increase in effort, sacrifice and generosity as well as an increase in guerrilla warfare and Martyrdom operations, as it is from the best forms of obedience and the greatest way of attaining nearness to Allah. It is the weapon, which the enemy lacks and humiliates them by the Grace of Allah Most High. It has a huge affect in destroying their morale. So carry out more of them and set fire to the earth beneath their feet, and strike at their every fingertip, until they leave defeated, by the Permission of Allah.

The poet says: "And whoever does not defend his dominion with a weapon, he is destroyed. Whoever does not protect himself from insult, is insulted. And whoever fears the causes of death, they will meet him, even if he reaches the crown of the sky upon the steps of a ladder."

Fulfill your Jihad, may Allah fulfill you.

Remember that there is no action for whoever does not have the correct intention.

Know that this war is a new Crusader campaign on the Islamic world, and it is a decisive war for this nation and its people. It has many dangerous consequences and evil effects upon Islam and its adherents, the extent of which is known only by Allah.

So youth of Islam everywhere and especially in the neighbouring states and Yemen, Jihad and preparation for hard work is obligatory upon you. Follow the truth and beware of those individuals who follow their whims from those who cling onto the earth, and those who uphold the oppressors, discouraging you and holding you back from the blessed Jihad.

Voices have been raised in Iraq just like they were raised before in Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and other places calling for a peaceful democratic solution in dealing with the apostate regimes, or the invaders from the Jews and Crusaders instead of fighting for Allah's Cause.

Therefore it is necessary to notify you briefly about the danger of this misguided and misguiding approach which differs from the Law of Allah, and that holds back from fighting in His Cause. How many valuable opportunities to establish this religion have been lost by obeying the individuals of this approach, so beware of following them and reflect upon what Allah the Most High says: "O our Lord, we followed our leadership and our mighty ones and they led us astray." [67:33]

Reflect, so you will not be regretful on a day when regret will benefit no one.

Know the truth by recognizing its people and recognize men by the truth, and do not discern the truth by the people. Islam is the true religion and Allah has promised to preserve it, so look at what the Prophet, peace be upon him, was upon and stick to that.

As he says in the authenticated collections of his sayings: "By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if it wasn't for making things difficult on the Muslims, I would not have remained behind any army leaving in the Path of Allah."

So how can you obey, with Jihad being an obligation upon every individual, those who do not fight in Allah's Cause? Don't you ever ponder?! They are the ones who squander the capabilities of this Islamic nation from its sincere men, and seek judgment from the desires of people, and from democracy, the religion of pre-Islamic ignorance by entering into legislative assemblies. Those are the ones who have truly become astray!

Isn't the head of Islam the testimony that there is none worthy of worship except for Allah?

From the first things that it destroyed were the whims of the men in the council of chambers of the legislative assembly of Quraish. The right of legislation is from the special qualities of divinity and whoever legislates for the people besides Allah then he has made himself a falsely worshipped deity. That is major disbelief that expels from the religion and he is one of the falsely worshipped. Disbelieving in the falsely worshipped is one of the two pillars of Tawheed, and Iman is not established without them both.

Allah, the Most High says: "And whoever disbelieves in the falsely worshipped and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break and Allah is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing" [256:1]

What is the matter with those who enter the assemblies of polytheism, the assemblies of legislative representatives, these which Islam came to destroy, and by these the head of Islam is demolished. What can remain for them after they claim that they are upon the truth? Indeed they are upon great error; Allah knows that Islam is innocent of their actions. Fear Allah and turn to Him in repentance from these ignorant actions, and disavow yourself from the assemblies of disbelief and their false deities. Make clear your pronouncement of their disbelief, as calling the disbelievers by their infidelity is a divinely inspired way, as Allah the Most High says, "Say O disbelievers, "I worship not that which you worship, now will you worship what I worship. And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion and to me be mine." [1-6:109]

Islam is the religion of Allah and the assemblies of legislative representatives is the religion of pre-Islamic ignorance. Whoever follows the rulers and scholars in making permissible what Allah has prohibited, like entering legislative assemblies, or prohibits what Allah has made permissible, like Jihad for His Cause, then he has taken them as lords besides Allah - and there is no power or might except in Allah!

Allah says, "They took their rabbis and their monks to be lords besides Allah and the Messiah, son of Mary, while they were commanded to worship none but he Deity. Praise and Glory be to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate with Him." [31:9]

Allah the Most High named their action 'polytheism' and we seek refuge in Allah from that. The order of Allah the All-Honourable, All-Mighty to end tribulation and establish the religion is plainly clear in the Noble Quran and this is by fighting for His Cause.

Allah the Most High says, "And fight them until there is no more tribulation and the religion is all for Allah alone." [29:8]

And the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, says, "I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is none worthy the worship except Allah and establish the prayer and give the obligatory alms..." And he says, "Indeed paradise is under the shades of swords," this is the way of our Messenger, peace be upon him.

The religion is only established by standing under the shades of swords and not like the claims of those who say that we establish the religion by sitting under the shades of the representative assemblies, parliaments and infidel governments. So what more misguidance is there after this?!

And it is said: "Whoever is not convinced of fighting will let go of the path, but he will not mislead the convinced."

Youth of Islam everywhere beware of this misguided approach and remain with Jihad, as today it is an obligation upon every individual. The one, who sits back from the Jihad that is individually obligatory, is an evil doer according to the ruling of our Islamic Sharia.

Allah, the Most High, says, "Say if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, the wealth which you have obtained, the commerce in which you fear a decline and the dwellings in which you are pleased, are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and Jihad and His Cause, then wait until Allah executes His Command. And Allah does not Guide the evildoers." [24:9]

Then I want to direct a word to the Muslims in general and the people in Iraq in particular, and I say to them beware of assisting the American Crusader forces and whoever allies with them. Anyone who cooperates with them or whatever follows on from that regardless of names and titles like security forces, police, army and so on, and under the title of the 'interim government,' then he is a disbeliever and apostate whose blood is to be shed and it is obligatory to kill him. A similar ruling is for whoever assists the infidel parties like the Socialist Bathist Party, the Democratic Kurdish parties and whoever resembles them. This kind of assistance and co-operation with the disbelievers is from the ten negations of Islam as is well known.

Allah, the Most High, says, "And whoever allies with them from you, then he is from them." [51:5] And He says, "Give glad tidings to the hypocrites that for them is a painful punishment, those who take the disbelievers as allies besides the believers, do the seek honour from them? Indeed honour is for Allah completely." [138-139:4]

So fear Allah and turn to Him in repentance and disavow yourself from these infidel regimes and falsely deified parties. Believe in Allah alone and wage Jihad so that the Word of Allah is the highest. It is not unknown that any government created by America is a treacherous puppet regime like the rest of the governments in the region. Like the governments of Karzai and Mahmoud Abbas, who were set-up to demolish Jihad.

What is the roadmap plan except a new episode in the series of conspiracies to end the blessed Intifada?

The biggest criminals took part in these conspiracies: Bush, Sharon, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Abdullah II, Hosni Mubarak, and Mahmoud Abbas.

The continuation of the Jihad is obligatory until an Islamic government is established, which rules with the Sharia of Allah. There should be no dialogue between us and the occupiers from the Jews and the Crusaders except with weapons. The Sharia has obligated us to fight them.

Allah the Most High says, "And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege and prepare for them each and every ambush." [5:9]

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him says, "Wage Jihad against the polytheists with your wealth, lives and tongues."

As it is said: "The flames of polytheism are only extinguished by crimson rain. The steps of Tawheed are laid by the best of blades and spearheads."

Likewise whoever responds to America either from nations or individuals by coming to Iraq to establish any action assisting them, then killing him is obligatory even if they come under deceptive titles like 'peacekeepers,' 'mine-sweepers' or whoever comes under the shade of the disbelieving United Nations that Zionist-Crusader organization, the enemy of the Islamic world.

Have not the Jews been granted their state on the land of Palestine except for an oppressive resolution for partition more than 50 years ago?

Likewise anyone who responds to America by coming under the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), or the Arab League, then it is obligatory to fight him.

Was Palestine handed over to the Jews in the year following the resolution for partition except by the armies of the seven Arab nations in obedience to America? From them the army of King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and the army of King Faruq from Egypt and the army of King Abdullah Ibn Ash-Shareef Hussein from Jordan and all these seven armies were under the command of an English officer so what kind of treachery can come after this?

So Muslims, this is very critical and not a trivial matter, so whoever has any endeavour, or thought, or aid, or courage, or money, then this is the time for it. In events like these, the people become focused and the truthful are known from the liars, and the one who feels honour for his religion is known from the one who sits back. From these great misfortunes, people of courage and honour for their religion are required from great men. It is hoped from the pure, honourable, noble Muslim women that they undertake their role. So sisters of Fatima, Sumayya, Khawla and Ruqayya, the owner of the two straps, indeed the battlefields look to your encouragement of your fathers, sons, husbands and brothers and they wait for your preparation of warriors in Allah's Cause.

Give victory to the religion of Allah by the most valuable of what you possess, hoping for what is with Allah from recompense and reward.

Indeed I say to my brothers the Mujahideen in Iraq, that I, by Allah, share in your anxiety and I feel what you feel and I envy the Jihad you are upon. Allah knows that if I could find a way to your battlefields then I would not sit behind, and how can I sit behind and it has passed by us that our Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, our example and role model says, "By Him in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if it wasn't for making things difficult on the Muslims, I would not have remained behind any army leaving the Path of Allah." He also says, "By Him in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, I would love that I fight in Allah's Cause and then be killed, then fight and be killed, then fight and be killed."

This is the path of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and it is the path of giving victory to this religion and establishing the state of the Muslims, so remain upon it and no one remains upon it except for the sincere.

And I call upon all the Muslims, the tribes of Rab'ia and Mudar and the sons of Kurds, to raise your banner, may Allah raise you. Let not these thugs scare you with their weapons because Allah has weakened their plotting and made their strength depart.

Do not let their large numbers frighten you, as their hearts are empty and they have started to weaken and shake militarily and economically, especially after the blessed day of New York, by the Grace of Allah. Their losses after this strike and its consequences have reached more than a trillion dollars. They have also recorded deficiencies in their budgets for a third year running. In this year it has reached a record number with an estimation of more than 450 billion dollars, so all Praise and Grace belongs to Allah alone. Continuation of this war increases their economic bleeding and costs them more than 100 million dollars daily.

So charge towards them and don't restrain yourselves.

Do not allow them to steal your oil or your people.

When you strike them cause them pain, "Indeed Allah loves that when one of you does any action that he perfects it., " lust like our Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, said "Seek help in having your needs met by being discreet," so let a Mujahid not interfere in an operation which he has no part in. Make your banner go forth and do not spread cowardice amongst the people.

Be firm! Be firm! Persevere! Persevere!

Indeed victory is near with patience! "Patience in the arena of death! Patience! Attaining eternity is not feasible if you demand me to stay a day Pass my limit - you will not be obeyed. There is no good for man in life if he does not prepare for the loss of delight."

So seek help from Allah and rely upon Him. Try your best to be from the first ranks of the Martyrs who offer soul in the cause of this path.

It has been authentically narrated from our Messenger, may peace and blessings be upon him, "The best of Martyrs are those who fight in the first line, not turning around until they are killed. Those are the ones who seek the highest chambers from Paradise and your Lord Laughs at them, and if your Lord Laughs at a slave in this world there is no account upon him."

Remain with the revelation youth of Islam.

Hurry! Hurry! Young men of Adnan and Qahtan, rise to the victory of your brothers in religion and ancestry in Mesopotamia.

O Followers of Muhammad, now the fierce fighting has broken out, the eyes have become bloodshot, the ranks have engaged in battle, and the swords have clashed, these are the moments of severity. O steeds of Allah ride forth, O breeze of Paradise come forth! O how delightful is Paradise and its coming of near Delicious and cool is its drink.

And the Romans the punishment has come near. Disbelieving and far from their roots. And upon me if I meet them is to strike them!

Finally, to my brothers the Mujahideen in Iraq, and to the heroes in Baghdad, abode of the Caliphate, and what is around it, and to the Ansar al-Islam, grandson of Salah Al-Din and to the noble people of Bakuba, Mosul, and Anbat, and to those who have emigrated for the Sake of Allah until they are killed giving victory to their religion and who have left their fathers and sons, and to the people and to the land, to them I extend my greetings to all of you.

I say to you that you are the army of Allah, and the arrows of Islam and the first line of defense for this Islamic nation today.

The Romans have gathered under the banner of the cross to fight the nation of the beloved Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings.

Have hope in your Jihad.

I hope that the Muslims will not be disappointed by you.

Remember Allah in what you are upon and what is attached to you after Allah from great hopes.

So do not disgrace the Muslims today, as Allah, the Most High, says: "And don't be weak in the pursuit of the enemy; if you are suffering (hardships) then surely they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have a hope from Allah (for reward, i.e. Paradise), that for which they hope not; and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise." [104:4]

Embody what S'ad, may Allah be pleased with him, cited on the day of Khandaq where he said: "Stay a little while an attack joins the battle. There is nothing wrong with death when its time comes."

Yes, there is nothing wrong with death when its time comes.

And the statement of Asim, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding fighting; "What is the matter with me and I am strong and bowman. And the bow has a string. Death is true and life is false. And if I do not fight you then my mother is bereaving."

And I advise myself and you to fear Allah in private and openly, and to read the Quran, reflect on it, and act upon it, particularly the chapters of fighting like Tawba and Anfal, and you must remember Allah and pray to Him.

O Allah our Lord, grant us good in this world and in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the hellfire! O Allah, this is a day from Your days so take the hearts and the forelocks of the youth of Islam for Jihad in Your Sake! O Allah, make the hearts firm and keep their feet steadfast and make their shooting accurate and unite their hearts! O Allah send Your victory upon your slaves the Mujahideen everywhere, in Palestine, Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir, Philippines and Afghanistan! O Allah, Free our imprisoned brothers in the prisons of the tyrants in America and Guantanamo and occupied Palestine and Riyadh and in every place. You are capable of everything. O Allah, pour upon us patience and keep our feet firm and give us victory over the disbelieving people.

"And Allah has full power and control over His affairs but most men know not." [12:21]

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and all his companions and our last invocation is that all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

End Video