Al-Qaeda in Iraq Publishes List of Tribal Leaders It Intends to Assassinate Before 'Id Al-Fitr
The Islamist website http://www.elshouraa.ws/vb, hosted by SoftLayer Technologies Inc. in Texas, USA, has published a list of names, some with photos, titled "Pictures of the Infidels and Apostates Wanted by the Islamic State of Iraq." The message accompanying the list praises the September 13, 2007 assassination of Al-Anbar Salvation Council head 'Abd Al-Sattar Abu Risha by the ISI,[1] and threatens other tribal leaders who oppose Al-Qaeda: "We killed your leader and sheikh on the first day of Ramadan, as we promised you. You should know that the ISI will prevent most of your [other] leaders from offering up their holiday prayers [on 'Id Al-Fitr at the end of the month of Ramadan]. You will never see 'Id Al-Fitr, because [the jihad fighters] have turned [this] Ramadan into a grave for the apostates. [Abu Risha] is the first... dead hypocrite of this month – [the month of] jihad and mujahideen – and will be followed by many others."
Below are the photos and names, as they appear in the posting. The individuals crossed out have already been assassinated by the ISI.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Claims Responsibility for Lakhdaria Attack
On September 21, 2007, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb posted an announcement on its official website (http://www.qmagreb.org, hosted by TIMETELEKOM in Malaysia), in which it claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Lakhdaria, some 75 kilometers east of Algiers, in which two French citizens were wounded. The announcement stated that the attack was aimed at "French Crusaders" working on the construction of a dam in the area, and boasted that it had been successful even though the workers were guarded by Algerian soldiers and policemen. The message concluded with a warning addressed to France and to the "Worshipers of the Cross": "We have a long-standing blood feud with you... The [urge] to avenge a million and a half martyrs is still [boiling] in our veins..."
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لن نوقف الغارات حتى عن مرابعنا تزول
[تنفيذ عملية استشهادية ضد الصليبيين الفرنسيين]
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GIMF Denies Connection to Individuals Arrested for Circulating Video Threatening Austria and Germany
On September 21, 2007, the Islamist website ekhlaas.org, hosted by Layered Technologies Inc. in Texas, USA, posted a message by the commander of the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF), who goes by the alias Ahmad Al-Wathiq Billah Abu Yasin. The message was in response to September 12, 2007 reports in the international media stating that three individuals, a married couple and another man, had been arrested in Vienna in connection with a GIMF video threatening Germany and Austria for their involvement in Afghanistan.[2] The reports stated further that a fourth man had been arrested in Canada on suspicion of connection with the GIMF and of involvement in an attempted bombing outside the country.
Abu Yasin mentioned that one of the three arrested in Vienna had been released for lack of evidence, while the married couple is still being held on suspicions of involvement in circulating the video. He added that the husband is suspected of being the commander of the GIMF.
In response to these allegations, Abu Yasin stated that this man was not the leader of the GIMF, since that position was held by himself; neither was he in custody. He added that it was a fact that no member of the GIMF had been arrested in Austria or any other country, and that the arrests had been made to "please America."
Following are excerpts from Abu Yasin's message.
"Sawt Al-Khilafa [the media company that produced the video] belongs to the larger media company GIMF. [The latter] deals with Muslim issues around the world, and supports the jihad fighters, who defend [the Muslims'] faith, lands, and holy places, and bring Allah's word to the entire world – to the Arabs, to the Persians, and especially to the Western peoples that have been put to sleep by their governments. However, the enemies of Allah, who falsified the New and Old Testaments, are [now] misrepresenting the facts, and describing the GIMF as an armed organization...
"The video [in question], which was posted by Sawt Al-Khilafa a few months ago, was titled 'A Warning to the Austrian and German Governments.' Contrary to what is being claimed by the governments of Austria and Germany, it included no threats, but only advice to a wretched government that had become entangled in a war against Islam and the Muslims, and had sent its troops to kill our brothers in Afghanistan. As an independent media company that is not affiliated with any organization or group, Sawt Al-Khalifa [felt] obliged to convey this message, in order to clarify the situation that the Western governments have been ignoring at the expense of their peoples' [safety]... and in order to [help them] avoid the fate that has befallen America and its ally, Britain, in the new Crusader war against Islam and the Muslims... In fact, the Austrian government should have officially conveyed its gratitude to Sawt Al-Khalifa and to the GIMF [for publishing this message]...
"As to the allegations made by the Canadian authorities, [namely] that the individual in their custody was involved in an attempt to detonate a bomb in [a location] outside Canada – this is nothing but a lie meant to supply the Austrians with an excuse for making the oppressive arrest [of the three individuals]... It is amazing how [the Westerners] purport to [respect] human rights, but when it comes to Muslims, they apply different standards... We exonerate these detainees of all the false [allegations] that have been made against them."
Islamist Website Posts Two Messages From ISI War Minister To His Soldiers
On September 24, 2007, the Islamist website www.alhesbah.org, hosted by NOC4Hosts Inc. Florida, USA, posted two messages from ISI War Minister Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir to the commanders and soldiers of the ISI. The messages contain advice and instructions, mostly related to religious conduct (e.g.,the need to be careful of falsely accusing someone of apostasy), discipline (e.g. obeying orders), and disloyalty to the ISI and its cause.
