July 04, 2005

Iraq Terrorists Join Forces

Al Jazeera reports that the Islamic Army of Iraq and the Mujahidin Army of Iraq have appointed a common spokeperson for the two groups. These two groups are active in hostage taking. It was the Islamic Army in Iraq that was responsible for the downing of a civilian helicopter in April and the subsequent videotaped murder of an unarmed and wounded Bulgarian pilot named Lyubomir Kostov [story, images, and links to video here]. The Mujahidin Army was, up until now, thought to be associated with ex-Baathist and Arab nationalist elements. Their propganda videos tend to have high production value, are sometimes in English, and tend to cater to capturing support from elements in the West.

This may be a rhetorical question, but if the reporter for al Jazeera knew where to find the terrorist spokesman, then why is he not in U.S. or Iraqi custody now? The time is long past due that the U.S. bombs the headquarters of al Jazeera.

Two armed groups in Iraq, known for fighting US-led forces and their capture of foreigners including journalists, have appointed a joint spokesperson.

The new spokesperson for the Islamic Army in Iraq and Jaish al-Mujahidin, Dr Ibrahim Yusuf al-Shimmari, told Aljazeera that the decision comes in the context of the groups' plans to implement a political programme and be politically recognised.

"It is most appropriate for the two groups to unite and appoint a media spokesman," said al-Shimmari, "due to the escalating amount of persons who claim to speak on behalf of the resistance and adopt political projects that do not serve the resistance."

This is the first step in the implementation of the groups' plan to unite, added al-Shimmari. "Other steps will follow soon."

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 02:41 PM | |