An audio tape purporting to be from Saddam Hussein and aired by Arabic television channel al Jazeera has urged Iraqis to support resistance to US forces and warned Americans of more bloodshed to come.
In the latest clash today - American Independence Day - US forces killed 11 gunmen who tried to ambush a military patrol northwest of Baghdad, the US military said.
No confirmation was available that the voice on the tape was indeed that of the former Iraqi president, who has not been seen in public since American forces ousted him on April 9th.
But the voice, which said he was well and in Iraq, sounded like Saddam and the bellicose language and tone of the message was similar to his previous speeches.
"The next few days, God willing, will be arduous for the infidel invaders and honourable for the faithful...," the voice on the tape said, addressing the Iraqi people.
"I urge you to protect the heroic resistance fighters and not to give the infidel invaders or their aides any information or help about their operations," said the voice which added that the recording was made on June 14th.
The United States, backed by Britain, invaded Iraq to rid it of alleged weapons of mass destruction, and had hoped to be welcomed as a liberator by the Iraqis.
But in recent weeks dozens of its soldiers have been killed or wounded in an increasingly concerted campaign of armed resistance, while it has failed to find either Saddam or any proof of the weapons.
Earlier today US forces killed 11 gunmen who tried to ambush a patrol near the town of Balad northwest of Baghdad, a day after a mortar attack in the area left 16 US soldiers wounded.
"I am in Iraq and with a comrade," said the voice on the tape. "I tell you that I miss you, miss you, oh beloved people, even though I am among you and in your ranks."
Yesterday the United States offered a $25 million bounty for information leading to Saddam's capture or providing evidence of his death. Rewards were also offered for his two sons and lieutenants, Uday and Qusay.
Asked about the tape, a British Ministry of Defence official in London said : "As far as I am aware, we cannot vouch for its authenticity." The White House and the Pentagon had no immediate comment on the tape.