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Al-Qaeda Launches Cell Phone Videos

Group targets wide audience with dubbed, subtitled clips

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 5, 2008 4:58 PM CST
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(Newser) – Al-Qaeda has released videos that can be downloaded and viewed on cell phones, the AP reports. The terrorist group launched eight video messages from Osama bin Laden and No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri, all available thanks to al-Qaeda's media branch, al-Sahab. The videos feature subtitles in English and dubbing in other languages to tap into a wider audience.

Al-Qaeda is trying to ride a wave of cell phone video popularity in the Middle East: Saddam Hussein's execution video was in demand last year, and Egyptians have been sharing videos of police beatings. Al-Qaeda's videos are too big to download and store easily so far, but al-Sahab promises to release clips in smaller sizes.

This image from video released by IntelCenter on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 shows a photo of Osama bin Laden as part of an audiotaped speech calling for Iraqi insurgents to unite and avoid divisive extremism, apparently intended to win over Sunnis opposed to al-Qaida's branch in Iraq. The audio, of...
This image from video released by IntelCenter on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 shows a photo of Osama bin Laden as part of an audiotaped speech calling for Iraqi insurgents to unite and avoid divisive "extremism,"...   (Associated Press)
A cell phone displays a demonstration of go2 Media's efforts to deliver advertising and content targeted to the interest and location of the user at go2 Media's office in Boston, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
A cell phone displays a demonstration of go2 Media's efforts to deliver advertising and content targeted to the interest and location of the user at go2 Media's office in Boston, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007....   (Associated Press)
This frame grab taken from an undated video message carrying the logo of al-Qaida's production house as-Sahab and provided Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 by IntelCenter, a U.S. government contractor monitoring al-Qaida messaging, shows Osama bin Laden raising his finger while speaking. (AP Photo/Intel Center)
This frame grab taken from an undated video message carrying the logo of al-Qaida's production house as-Sahab and provided Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 by IntelCenter, a U.S. government contractor monitoring...   (Associated Press)
This undated photo shows al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. bin Laden called on the Europeans to stop helping the United States in the war in Afghanistan, according to excerpts of a new audiotape broadcast Thursday on Al-Jazeera television. (AP Photo, File)
This undated photo shows al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. bin Laden called on the Europeans to stop helping the United States in the war in Afghanistan, according to excerpts of a new audiotape...   (Associated Press)
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