Zarqawi group claims blasts
2004-09-14 16:04
Dubai - The militant group of alleged al-Qaeda operative Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility Tuesday for two attacks against Iraqi police, including a massive car bombing which killed 47 people in Baghdad, according to statements posted on an Islamist website.
"A lion from the 'martyrdom-seeking brigade' succeeded in striking a centre for volunteers for the renegade police force," said a statement from the military wing of the Tawhid wal Jihad (Unity and Holy War) group, referring to a suicide bomber.
Forty-seven people died in a massive car bombing outside Baghdad's main police headquarters.
Several hours later 12 Iraqi policemen and their driver were killed when gunmen sprayed their vehicle with bullets in Baquba, north of Baghdad.
"Heroes of the Tawhid wal Jihad are striking with an iron hand anyone who betrays religion and honour," said another statement posted on the same website (http://www.ansarnet.ws/vb).
They hit a car in Baquba "carrying more than 10 members of the collaborator police, killing them, thank be to God," said the statement.
It was not possible to confirm the authenticity of either statement.
Zarqawi, a fugitive Jordanian Islamist who has a $25m US bounty on his head, has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks in Iraq, including the beheading of foreign hostages.
- AFP