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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Shi’ite group threatens Zarqawi |
| 2004-07-06 |
| An armed group calling itself the "Salvation Movement" threatened in a video aired Tuesday to kill Al-Qaeda-linked Jordanian operative Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi if he did not leave Iraq. "The apostate, criminal Zarqawi and his henchmen must leave Iraq immediately," said a statement read by one of the group on the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite news channel. "Islam has nothing to do with this criminal," said the statement, referring to attacks attributed to the Sunni Muslim Zarqawi, particularly in Shiite-populated towns. "We have started work and preparations to capture him and his followers or kill them and offer them as a gift to our people and martyrs," said the hooded gunman. The group also issued a "last warning" to those "harboring" Zarqawi and his men. "We will do to you what the (US-led) coalition forces were unable to do if you do not desist," the statement said. "Who is Zarqawi to be allowed to do what he is doing to Iraq?" the statement said, listing the abduction of foreign workers, the assassination of political and religious figures and threats to Iraqi Shiites. The hitherto unheard of group appeared to be made up of Shiites, who form a majority in Iraq. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #7 i wouldnt stake to much on a video from an unknown group. As far as we know the video could be their only action, designed to portray (accurately or not) divisions within the insurgency. This could be almost anything. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-07-06 12:41:07 PM |
| #6 Expecting a ROP condemnation of Zarqawi from American muslims in 3, 2, 1..... Amazing that it has to come from an Iraqi group. I agree that I don't want to see a tit for tat situation, I wouldn't mind seeing Zarqawi get his! |
| Posted by: BA 2004-07-06 12:40:05 PM |
| #5 It would be much better if Zarqawi is captured then if he was killed. It would be double bonus plus better if the Iraqis captured him. |
| Posted by: Anonymous5564 2004-07-06 10:48:46 AM |
| #4 I don't like this either. It's either Rule of Law - or not - they have to figure it out and choose. I know vigilante justice can fill in for official authority - it happened in the US as it expanded, but it was still an ugly SOB situation. Allawi needs more trained people who "get it" and he needs to work with the US / UK / allies (can't use CPA, anymore, heh) to get hard assistance where needed. And, we'll see if he realizes that the amnesty thing makes getting the help he needs more problematic. If this takes root, then it will end up at Partition. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-07-06 10:42:29 AM |
| #3 Instinctively, I have to admit I wish these guys success, however, the development the terrorist violence into conflict between sectarian 'paramilitary' groups would make Iraq start to look worryingly like, say, Northern Ireland. If substantial numbers of the majority group resort to supporting organisations prepared to fight in the same manner as opposed groups which claim to be representing their neighbours, we might just see an exacerbation of inter-community hostility and a breakdown in trust, and tit-for-tat violence that could go on for many years, whilst paralysing the country. If the violence spirals, it could lead to civil war, would also make things much more convenient for external powers who have a vested interest in stirring up trouble. If this group isn't explicitly Shiite, it's appearance might be more reassuring. Far better to leave this sort of thing to the national government, even if it's less efficient and/or effective. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-06 10:09:26 AM |
| #2 "We will do to you what the (US-led) coalition forces were unable to do if you do not desist," the statement said. Gotta be kurds. They're the ones with the backbone in Iraq. |
| Posted by: Charles 2004-07-06 8:59:00 AM |
| #1 This is being reported by AP also. Good news and good hunting! |
| Posted by: Spot 2004-07-06 8:50:04 AM |