Reply #17: The video first appeared on the Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI) Website [View All]

[dutchdemocrat]

Islamic Army in Iraq

Mothertongue Name: al-Jaish al-Islami fi al-Iraq

Base of Operation: Iraq

Founding Philosophy: The Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI) is a significant Iraqi terrorist entity, which is currently in operation. The group has initiated a brutally violent campaign against foreigners within Iraq, specifically anyone believed to be cooperating with the U.S.-led coalition. IAI has been implicated in several gruesome beheading deaths. The terrorist group aims to drive all U.S. and its related coalition forces, both military and civilian, from Iraq. But IAI does not limit its attacks to just these groups; it has also murdered French journalists, Pakistani contractors, an Italian journalist, and Macedonian citizens working for a U.S. company.

Often, IAI will kidnap an individual or group of people and then make an overarching demand. Frequently, these demands are indirectly related to the kidnapping victims. For example, IAI captured Enzo Baldoni, an Italian journalist who also volunteered for the Red Cross in Iraq. IAI demanded that Italy withdraw all troops from Iraq or Enzo Baldoni, both an independent journalist and humanitarian volunteer, would be killed. Italy did not recall its troops and Baldoni was murdered. This is a common tactic of IAI. The Islamic Army in Iraq has also attacked French civilians in retaliation for France’s law regarding headscarves in schools. IAI does not limit its terrorist attacks to non-Iraqis; the group has also executed Iraqi people who join Iraq’s police and military services.

Current Goals: According to the leader of the Islamic Army in Iraq, the group has thousands of terrorists in its ranks. The group’s leader also claims that the group is predominantly Iraqi, not foreign-born. Statements released in November 2004 announced that the Islamic Army in Iraq has collaborated with Ansar al-Sunnah and the terrorist network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, known then as Tawhid and Jihad and now as Tanzim Qa'idat Al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn.

In April 2005, the Islamic Army in Iraq announced the formation of the “al-Aqsa Support Division.” Referring to the al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, this group is meant to support Palestinians in their armed struggle against Israel. Its formation was brought about by rumors circulating in Iraq of a plot to tear down the holy Mosque. It is unknown at this time if the al-Aqsa Support Division has active contacts with terrorist groups in Israel or the Occupied Territories or if it is simply a rhetorical formation.

http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4375


http://www.ogrish.com/archives/2005/december/ogrish-dot-com-4_western_hostages_in_iraq_video_video3_1.wmv">Latest Video1
http://www.ogrish.com/archives/2005/december/ogrish-dot-com-4_western_hostages_in_iraq_video_video3_2.wmv">Latest Video2