It has always been safe to assume that jihadis use their forums as a 'communications infrastructure', but until now we had not seen anything resembling evidence of actual use for that purpose.

A recently de-classified letter from one "Atiyah" to Zarqawi (acquired from the vicinity of Zaqawi's corpse), has been posted along with a translation to English, by the Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point.

The following files are available:

Arabic - http://www.ctc.usma.edu/3OO31006-arabic25639-05.pdf

English - http://www.ctc.usma.edu/3OO31006-english25639-05.pdf

At the end of Atiyah's letter, immediately prior to the typical parting niceties, we find the following:

Forgive us also if our conception of your situation there and your circumstances is lacking and unclear, for this is possible and not unlikely, especially with the disruption that exists and the loss of communications. We advise you to maintain reliable and quick contact, with all the power you can muster. I am ready to communicate via the Internet or any other means, so send me your men to ask for me on the chat forum of Ana al-Muslim, or others. The password between us is that thing that you brought to me a long time ago from Herat. Then, after that, we would agree with them about e-mails, or you should instruct your men who are in the country that I live in to develop communications with us. We are ready to write to you and to consult with you regarding opinions anytime directly. "By the time, Surely man is at a loss, Except for those who believe and do good, and exhort one another to Truth, and exhort one another to patience."