Al-Qaida linked to oil terminal attack

An al-Qaida-linked militant claimed responsibility on tonight for suicide boat attacks that killed three Americans and disabled Iraq’s biggest terminal for more than 24 hours.

The claim by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi came on an Islamist Web site that often carries statements said to be from al-Qaida and other militant groups.

“Our brothers in their sea craft targeted the oil platforms,” the statement, in Arabic, said.

There was no way to verify the claim, which would be the first by al-Zarqawi for any attack in Iraq. US officials say al-Zarqawi may be behind a number of bloody suicide bombings in the country.

The attacks on Saturday evening killed two US navy sailors and a Coastguard who were trying to intercept one of three boats that neared the terminals, then detonated.

Zarqawi is widely believed to be in Iraq. Washington suspects suicide bomb attacks on Shiites in Baghdad and Kerbala were masterminded by Zarqawi to try to spark civil war there.