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Australians face execution
13/09/2004 15:09 - (SA)
Samarra - Two Australians and two Asians have been kidnapped in Iraq, said a statement purportedly from the Islamic Secret Army handed out in the Sunni Muslim bastion of Samarra on Monday. The statement gave Canberra a 24-hour deadline to end its interests in Iraq or see the hostages executed, but there was no immediate confirmation of the ultimatum's authenticity.
"One of our brave brigades ambushed civilian cars belonging to the American army on the motorway from Baghdad to (the main northern city of) Mosul," said the statement dated Monday.
"It took four prisoners, two Australians and two East Asian nationals who were working as security contractors for important people," it said.
"We tell the infidels of Australia that they have 24 hours to leave Iraq or the two Australians will be killed without a second chance."
Australia took part in last year's US-led invasion and still maintains 850 troops in Iraq.
"The (Australian) prime minister (John Howard) must announce the withdrawal personally if he is concerned about his two citizens," said the statement.
The self-styled Horror Brigades calls itself the northern armed wing of the Secret Islamic Army, whose Holders of the Black Banners unit claimed the execution of two Pakistani hostages in late July.
Earlier this month, three Indian, three Kenyan and an Egyptian truck driver were freed six weeks after they were taken hostage by the Black Banners brigade.
- AFP
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