In the on-line May 2008 edition of Fursan, Al Baghdadi did not detail the new rocket, Middle East Newsline reported. He said development has been completed and the weapon would soon be used.

In 2008, the Hamas movement in Iraq said it was assembling and launching variants of the Kassam-class, short-range missile. Other Sunni groups in Iraq have not confirmed this.

The Islamic Army has reduced operations against Iraqi and U.S. security forces in 2008. Al Baghdadi said his movement was focusing on high-value targets, particularly senior Iraqi government officials.

Al Baghdadi said the Islamic Army has established sniper teams in Baghdad and Faluja to track targets. He said these teams were receiving advanced training and equipment to monitor and kill opponents.

The Islamic Army was said to be comprised of former Iraqi military officers. Al Baghdadi said the movement has acquired weapons from Iraq Army arsenals and was seeking additional equipment.

At the same time, Al Baghdadi reported continued tension with Al Qaida. The Islamic Army has accused Al Qaida of forcing women to commit suicide bombings and training children to kill.

"Our tactical advantage in fighting the enemy and their allies was that we know them but they don't recognize us," Al Baghdadi said. "We don't have that advantage over Al Qaida because they know the Islamic Army in Iraq

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