Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi Threatens Iran With "Fierce War"

On July 8, 2007, the ISI media company Al-Furqan posted a 50-minute audio message by Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi, Emir of the ISI. The following are some of the main points:

Addressing the Kurds in Iraq, he accuses them of apostasy and hypocrisy, and demands that they stop their collaboration with the Iraqi government. Next, he issues a two-month ultimatum to Shi'ites in general, and to Iran in particular, to stop meddling in the ISI's affairs. Failure to comply with this demand, he warns, will cause the ISI to declare "a fierce war" on Iran – a war for which the mujahideen have been preparing over the past four years.

Al-Baghdadi also issued a two-month ultimatum to the Arab states, and especially to the Gulf states, demanding that they sever all trade relations and economic ties with the Shi'ites. After the deadline, he explains, any transaction with Shi'ites will expose the parties involved to attacks by the mujahideen. In addition, Al-Baghdadi calls upon the Sunnis in Iran to establish a shura council of their own, and to prepare to demand their rights.