Islamic State in Iraq Accuses Iraqi Government of Publishing False Reports About Al-Muhajir

On February 16, 2007 the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) posted a communiqué on Islamist websites denying reports that its leader, Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir, has been wounded. The communiqué states: "The [Iraqi] government has announced that members of the apostate and collaborator forces wounded Sheikh Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir and killed his assistant in North Baghdad... However, [the fact is that] he and his immigrant brothers are living comfortably among [the Iraqi mujahideen]..."

The communiqué adds that if Al-Maliki's government has to resort to such lies, which even the Americans deny, its downfall must be imminent.