Holy war called for in Iraq

2003-07-10 16:21

Baghdad - An unknown group in Iraq has called for jihad, or holy war, against US occupying forces, issuing a death threat to all Iraqis working with the US-led authorities, according to a tract sent to AFP on Thursday.

"We are calling for a jihad," read the text, reportedly handed out at a Baghdad mosque this week, vowing "a battle from hell that will terrify the Americans. We will attack with such force that they won't know what hit them.

"Whomever stands with them or works with them is a coward and traitor of Allah and his prophet. Each traitor that came with the enemy or opened the doors of Iraq to the enemy will be killed," the English version of the text said.

"This applies to everyone who works hand in hand with this dog Paul Bremer," the top US civil administrator in Iraq. "Be warned. We forbid you to work with the American dogs."

The anonymous text also calls for a general strike and for imams to urge Iraqis to join a holy war.

It also urges Baath Party members, the Special Republican Guard, army intelligence services and Fedayeen militia fighters from the ousted regime:

"This is the time to prove your manliness. You will spill your blood to erase the bad record that has plagued the Iraqi People. And know that when the American dogs flee and take cover, death will follow them.

"Start to regroup because you know who you are and organise yourselves ... and support the Mujahedeen in this war so that the people will forgive you for the past," the text said.

It appealed to Iraqis to stay away from US bases to avoid being harmed in attacks launched against coalition forces.

Those co-operating with the US administration have already been threatened, according to residents in the town of Ramadi, where seven Iraqi recruits were killed in a bomb blast at the weekend.

The tract echoes the call, allegedly made by ousted leader Saddam Hussein in two audiotapes in less than a week and broadcast by Arab and Lebanese television stations, for Iraqis to throw out the American "invaders".

- AFX