Cartoons: 'Cut them to pieces'

2006-02-05 20:05

Omar Sinan

Cairo - The Islamic Army in Iraq, a key group in the insurgency fighting US-led and Iraqi forces, posted an internet statement on Sunday calling for gruesome violence against citizens of countries where caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad have been published.

The web posting was the second by the violent group since the storm broke over the cartoons, first published by Denmark's Jyllands-Posten in September.

"We swear to God, if we catch one of their citizens in Iraq, we will cut him to pieces, to take revenge for prophet," said the statement on a site known for carrying militant content.

Its authenticity could not immediately be confirmed.

The threat would appear to target citizens from Norway, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and New Zealand where editors have rallied along with two Jordanian newspapers in reprinting the cartoons in the name of free expression.

Grudge

The Islamic Army statement said the cartoons were part of a "crusader's war under the leadership of America. ... Those who do not carry the weapons, carry a grudge".

The statement did not limit its threats to citizens, but also claimed that "all the interests belonging to the states that published these humiliating pictures are considered our targets".

Our response will be earth-shaking."

In an unusual twist, the terrorist organisation also called on Muslims to conduct an economic and political boycott of the countries where the cartoons were published.

"You can withdraw your money from their banks and investments and cut their life's blood, which is oil.

"You can stop travelling to their countries and not allow them to come to ours.

"The economic and political boycott is considered a great fight and a big Jihad (holy wary). It can destroy people."

The Islamic Army in Iraq is a major insurgent group with an ideology similar to that of al-Qaeda although it is believed to operate independently.

- SAPA