BAGHDAD [MENL] -- Al Qaida network chief, dismissing warnings from his superiors, has steadily moved towards a war with Iraq's Shi'ite majority.

For the first time, Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi has targeted Iranian-sponsored Shi'ite militias in Iraq. Al Zarqawi operatives have abducted several Shi'ite fighters and executed one of them.

As a result, Sunni and Shi'ite fighters have engaged in at least one major battle in the Baghdad area. Officials said the fighting was expected to increase with the approach of National Assembly elections on Dec. 15.

On Oct. 22, Al Qaida said it executed a member of the Badr Corps, the military wing of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. The victim was identified as Abbas Dahir Majid and his beheading was posted on the Internet.