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| Iraq |
| Al-Qaeda threatens diplomats |
| 2005-11-04 |
| Al-Qaeda in Iraq has once again threatened diplomats working in Iraq, telling them to leave the country as soon as possible. "We reiterate our warning to those who insist on maintaining so-called diplomatic missions in Baghdad," said a statement released over the Internet by "the military wing of the Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Land of the Two Rivers" whose authenticity has yet to be authenticated. "Let them pack their bags and leave," said the message. The warning, which comes just one day after the group announced they would execute two Moroccans working at their country's embassy in Baghdad who were kidnapped in the last few days. It is directed at "those who still do not understand and challenge the will of the mujahadeen [fighters], and especially the missions of countries which have pledged to cooperate with the [Iraqi] apostate government installed by the invading Crusaders [US-led forces], the statement continues. "We will not spare any effort in tracking them down and punishing them, whoever they are and wherever they are, just as we have done with their predecessors," the statement says, warning that "we do not make any difference between the head of the mission and the most lowly employee as long as they have agreed to...back the criminal government of the [Shiites] and their American master." Abderrahim Boualem, a 55-year-old driver for the Moroccan embassy, and Abdelkarim Mouhafidi, who works at the same embassy, disappeared in Baghdad on October 20. Six days later al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for their kidnapping. On July 27, the group led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said it was behind the assassination of two Algerians, chief envoy Ali Belaroussi, 62, and fellow diplomat Azzedine Belkadi, 47, who had been kidnapped six days earlier. At the beginning of July, it was announced that the Egyptian ambassador to Iraq, Ihab al-Sherif, had been killed, five days after being kidnapped in Baghdad. In days following his abduction diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan were also attacked in Iraq in what were believed to be other kidnap attempts. Hassaan al-Ansari, the charge d'affaires for the Bahraini embassy, survived the shooting attempt and was promoted to ambassador by his King. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |