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| Iraq |
| Zarqawi orders election attacks |
| 2005-12-14 |
| Al-Qaeda's point man in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has made new threats of terrorist attacks, timed to coincide with general elections on Thursday. The threats are in contrast with the appeal of another insurgent group, the Islamic Army in Iraq, for no attacks on polling stations as Iraqis vote. "The lions of monotheism of the organisation of al-Qaeda have launched a new blessed military offensive against the seats of apostates and infidels to force into crisis the blasphemous democratic marriage" reads a statement posted on Islamist websites. The communique says that al-Zarqawi's followers are ready for attacks in areas of Baghdad, in the restive western province of al-Anbar, nearby Salahuddin, in Mosul and Diyala. "Until now we have struck the coves of the crusaders and the infidels" it says, which are in the Green Zone in Baghdad and in particular the interior ministry, the US base and the headquarters of the secret services." It said that for these attacks they used Tariq Karrad and Katiusha missiles and 120mm Hawn rockets. The group said it would be publishing updates giving further details of the purported military offensive. The threats by al-Qaeda in Iraq are in contrast with what appears to be some sort of electoral truce declared by another insurgent group, the Islamic Army in Iraq. On Monday it posted a website messages to its own militants ordering them not to strike polling stations, so as to avoid civilian bloodshed. "Just as we have done previously, avoiding bloody attacks which would strike the innocent as well as the guilty, we order you not to strike the polling stations," the message said. The terror group also specifies that the decision does not mean it supports the political process in Iraq, but just that it respects the precepts of Islamic Sharia law. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |