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| Iraq |
| Al Qaeda Group Says Behind Iraq Attacks |
| 2003-07-14 |
| A group claiming to be linked to the al Qaeda network said in an audio tape aired on an Arab television station on Sunday that they and not the followers of Saddam Hussein were behind attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq. "I swear by God no one from his (Saddam Hussein) followers carried out any jihad operations like he claims...they (attacks) are a result of our brothers in jihad," said the unidentified voice on the tape which was broadcast by Dubai-based Al Arabiya television. The voice on the tape, which Arabiya aired along with a photograph of an unidentified white-bearded man wearing a turban, also warned of a new anti-U.S. attack in the days to come which would "break the back of America completely." Bring it on. It was not clear if he was referring to an attack in Iraq or somewhere else. They try to keep their options open, that way they can take credit for anything. The voice said the "Armed Islamic Movement for Al Qaeda, the Falluja Branch," a previously unheard of name, was behind the attacks and that its members were dispersed all over Iraq. Is a branch bigger than a faction or is it more like a splinter? I get confused. U.S. forces, who largely blame die-hard Saddam loyalists for the attacks which have killed 31 U.S. soldiers since May 1 -- have come under frequent fire in the Iraqi town of Falluja and other mainly Sunni Muslim town north and west of Baghdad Saddam’s ousting in April. Earlier this month, an audio tape said to be made by Saddam urged Iraqis to fight the U.S.-British occupation of the Arab country and warned Americans of more bloodshed to come. Calling on U.S. forces to leave Iraq, the voice on the tape warned that "the end of America will be at the hands of Islam." The voice prayed to God, "to grant success to our brothers who are dispersed in Iraq’s governorates and in the countries of the world, (particularly) Sheikh Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar." He ended the recording by stating the date July 10, 2003. Trying to make themselves relevent by claiming credit for the Iraqi attacks. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 I tried saying that out loud. Now my tongue is tired. |
| Posted by: Fred 2003-7-14 1:13:37 PM |
| #2 Thanks, that clears it up. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-7-14 12:45:24 PM |
| #1 A branch is bigger than a splinter, as it would be a fraction of the faction of the sub national group causing friction. |
| Posted by: Domingo 2003-7-14 10:34:54 AM |