Latest audiotape from Zarqawi group.

This is interesting.

The admission that two important members of Zarqawi's group died in Fallujah implies that their bodies were either lost in the battle, left behind while fleeing, or possibly even recovered by the coalition. Otherwise, why admit it? Yet no official coalition reports of these deaths have been released.

Rumors in Iraq are that the voice on the tape is not Zarqawi's. As with any rumors in Iraq, take with a large grain of salt, but the existence of the rumor is significant politically. No doubt voice analysis will help settle this.

"Days after the battle began, one of the commanders suggested to brother Omar Hadid and brother Abu Harith Mohammed Jasem al-Issawi to shave their beards and leave Fallujah through a safe exit so that they can start working from outside," the speaker said.

"The two heroes refused, saying: 'By God we will not leave as long as there is one immigrant fighting in the city.' They were martyred. May God's mercy be upon them."

I notice that the speaker didn't stay behind, did he? Wonder if he still has a beard.