Iraq: Six hostages executed

2005-04-29 12:35

Dubai - An al-Qaeda-linked group has said it shot dead six abducted Sudanese drivers who worked for a Jordanian firm dealing with United States forces in Iraq, according to a video posted on Thursday on the internet.

The six men were shown in the footage identifying themselves and saying they worked for the Jordanian Al-Daoud firm "which deals with US forces."

The men said they regretted their action and had "repented," but a statement by the Army of Ansar al-Sunna, which claimed their execution, said their repentance had come too late.

The sound of gunfire can then be heard on the video amid cries of "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), but the picture was unclear, as was the number of people seen at a distance bowing down.

The Islamist website which posted the video had earlier provided access to the footage via another internet link, which did not show the name of the group.

The statement accompanying the video said the six men had been ferrying "goods, ammunition and weapons" to and from US bases on behalf of the Jordanian firm, which is contracted to an American base in western Iraq.

"Where was your remorse when children, women and elderly and young men were being killed every day before your eyes by those with whom you worked?" the statement said, warning that anyone who worked with US forces would meet a similar fate.

The Army of Ansar al-Sunna said in a statement posted on the Internet Tuesday that it had kidnapped six Sudanese drivers who "transport goods, ammunition and weapons to US forces."

The drivers were captured after they left a US base west of Baghdad, said the statement, dated on Monday. - AFP

- SAPA