Islamist Websites Monitor No. 100

ISI Announces Capture of U.S. Soldiers in Al-Mahmudiayya, Warns U.S. Not to Search For Them

In the past 48 hours, the ISI has posted two communiqués on the Islamist websites claiming responsibility for the kidnapping of the U.S. soldiers in Al-Mahmudiyya on Saturday, May 12, 2007 and warning the U.S. not to search for them because doing so would endanger them.

The first message, posted May 13, 2007, states that the soldiers were captured in the course of "clashes between the mujahideen and a Crusader patrol in Al-Mahmudiyya." The second message, posted May 14, 2007 and titled "The War Scale Tips Once Toward You and Once Toward Us," mocks the official U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, saying that he "looked pale and could hardly speak... after the ISI captured the U.S. soldiers in Iraq" - in contrast with his demeanor on the day he announced the killing of the ISI's official spokesmen, Al-Jaburi, when he "bragged that they succeeded in killing our sheikh."

"Today," the message continues, "you have experienced a calamity. Your false propaganda presented the American soldier as undefeatable, as a soldier who can never be captured, but with Allah's grace the American soldier has been humiliated by the monotheists of the ISI." The message ends with a threat: "If you are concerned for the safety of your soldiers, do not search for them."

ISI Forms Special Jihad Brigades

On May 13, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué by the ISI announcing the establishment of special jihad brigades to carry out attacks deep in enemy territory.

The following are excerpts:

"We announce to the Muslim nation that the [ISI] war ministry has trained special brigades with exceptional physical fitness and combat abilities. Their task: to carry out attacks like the ones currently being carried out in Al-Anbar, Mosul, and Diyala districts and elsewhere, to reach the enemy's rear lines, to penetrate deep into enemy territory, as in the attacks on the [Iraqi] parliament and on [Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister] Salam [Al-Zubaie] Al-Zukum [wounded in a car bomb explosion near his home on March 23, 2007], and to bring [wanted] individuals into custody."

Video Documenting the April 11, 2007 Bombings in Algeria

On May 10, Islamist websites posted a 29-minute video produced by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which has taken responsibility for the three bombings in Algiers on April 11, 2007. [1] The video shows the last messages of the three bombers, and documents the preparation and implementation of the attacks.

The video begins with a caption saying "Attack on three targets [belonging to] blatant collaborators: the headquarters of the apostate Algerian government, the Interpol headquarters, and the headquarters of the Center for Fighting Jihad." This is followed by captions describing the "crimes" committed by each of these bodies.

Next, the video brings excerpts from speeches by Sheikh Abu Mus'ab Abd Al-Wadoud, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and by Osama bin Laden, in which they declare that jihad and martyrdom are the only ways to fight the infidels, and urge Muslim youths to join the jihad.

The video then shows the stages of preparing the attacks. First is the stage of "gathering information and preparing the operation," in which the terrorists scope out the targets. Next is the stage of "preparing the bombs and loading the vehicles with 1,900 kilos of explosives," in which the terrorists, backs to the camera, are shown preparing charges fitted with timers. The following scene shows the terrorists, wearing explosive belts and with guns at their sides, giving their last statements. They urge young Muslims to join the jihad and carry out martyrdom operations, and one of them says: "I recommend the path of Martyrdom, for it is the shortest route to Paradise."

In the stage of "implementing [the attacks]," the terrorists are shown getting into the explosive-rigged trucks. One of them points to the switch and says that a single push will bring one to Paradise. The video ends with a caption saying: "The last moments before the bombing of the Interpol headquarters and the Center for Fighting Jihad." A few seconds later, an explosion is shown, while cries of "Allah Akbar" are heard in the background.

The video can be viewed at: http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=840992&ak=null.

Below are images from the video:

Videos Show Execution of Iraqi Officers Kidnapped by the ISI

Islamist websites recently posted two ISI videos showing the execution of the Iraqi officers captured by the organization on May 7 and May 8, 2007. [2]

The first video, posted May 10, 2007, opens with a written message stating that since the ISI's ultimatum has expired, the organization has decided to "carry out Allah's ruling." The film then shows the six hostages kneeling on the ground, surrounded by several masked mujahideen, two of them holding cameras. During the execution, an excerpt from an audio message by ISI War Minister Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir is heard in the background: "Crush their supremacy, raid their military bases, cut off their limbs, tear their hearts from their bodies! This is the day of massacre. Today we will annihilate the unbelievers..."

The second film, posted May 11, 2007, shows the three hostages - Lieutenant Colonel Khaled Ahmad Hussein and his two bodyguards - kneeling on the ground, while a masked mujahid stands behind them and reads out the ISI's May 8, 2007 ultimatum to Al-Maliki's government. Next, the three officers recite a text, calling on "those who cooperate with the government of idols" to "return to their senses, cooperate with the mujahideen and with the ISI, and defend the divine laws." This is followed by the written message stating that "the ISI's ultimatum has expired, and the ISI court in Mosul has therefore decided to carry out Allah's ruling." The three hostages are then executed next to a busy road in full sight of the people in passing vehicles.

The first video, with some graphic images removed, can be viewed at:

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=840664&ak=null.

The second video, with some graphic images removed, can be viewed at:

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=840671&ak=null.

Below are images from the videos:

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 101

Emir of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Calls On Algerians to Boycott May 17 Elections

On May 15, 2007, Islamist websites posted an audio message by the Emir of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Abu Mus'ab 'Abd Al-Wadoud, titled: "Boycott the Ongoing Farce of the Elections." 'Abd Al-Wadoud devotes the beginning of his message to undermining the legitimacy of the Algerian parliament. He accuses the parliament, which he labels "an insignificant parasite institution," of representing the government, not the Algerian people who elected it, and thus of aiding the government's "corrupt" policies. More specifically, he denounces the fact that the parliament has kept silent although the "government made an alliance with the American enemy... at a time when [the latter] is still launching a military campaign to exterminate Muslims in many places." In addition, he blames the parliament itself for initiating "despicable cooperation with the French parliament, which enacted recently several laws... prohibiting [the wearing of] the hijab in French schools."

After listing the parliament's numerous "crimes," 'Abd Al-Wadoud appeals to the Algerian people, saying: "Our country does not need anyone to enact laws pertaining to that which is permitted and prohibited. [Instead, our country] is in need of someone who will apply what Allah has prescribed. God has perfected a religion for us, and thus, aside from the religion of Islam, Algeria does not need the infidels' experience, codes of law, theories, and philosophies." He warns the Algerian people: "If you participate in their elections, you vote for hindering the shari'a... and for giving priority to the infidels' laws... Had you asked the sincere among the religious scholars about these legislative councils or parliaments, they would have told you that Islam does not legitimize [such institutions], since it is forbidden to rule but with what Allah has revealed... and that only Allah possesses power and authority and not the nation..." He concludes his message by calling on the Algerian people to resist "the deceptive media campaign" and all the political pressure so as to "prove to the world... that your nation neither submits nor bows to anyone but Allah, and that it neither accepts corruption nor assists corrupt people. You should express your rejection of these elections, and the fact that you wash your hands of it. You are requested to boycott and to refrain from voting."

Taliban Leadership Eulogizes Mullah Dadallah, Threatens Painful Revenge

On May 16, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué from the Taliban leadership following the death of Mullah Dadallah, in which they offer their condolences to all of the Afghani mujahideen, praise Dadallah as a role model for all Muslims in the world, and warn that "the enemies will pay a high price in revenge" for his death "in accordance with Afghani custom." The following are excerpts from the communiqué:

"The martyr Mullah Dadallah was a true model of a tireless fighter - a revolutionary fighter [and model] of rectitude and courage, not just for the jihad-fighting Afghani people, but for all of the Muslims of the world…

"Nonetheless, in the martyr-hero Mullah Dadallah's caravan of mujahideen there are thousands of fellow travelers, and now his worldview, ideology, and way in jihad will pick up pace... in order to fill the void that he left, and each one [of the thousands of fellow travelers] will turn into a thorn in the eyes of the enemy, just as this daring hero [was]...

"It can be said with absolute [certainty] that the death of Dadallah will strengthen the force and the resistance of the ranks of our jihad. Wounds and martyrdom are not considered defeat in Islam's dictionary... Whenever a void appeared, the Muslim attackers filled it in a proper manner.

"Today as well, the enemies of Islam and Afghanistan should not rejoice in the death of the martyr Mullah Dadallah. To the contrary, it should sadden them, since the mujahideen will make the enemies pay a high price in revenge... The enemies will shed many tears for many of their loved ones... The enemy will soon see [the mujahideen's] revenge for this barbaric action, in accordance with Afghani custom and with the orders of the Islamic Emirate...

"[Signed:] The Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."

Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades Threaten France With "Bloody Jihad Attack" Following Sarkozy's Victory

On May 15, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué from the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades [3] titled "Message to the French People," in which they warned that they would carry out "a bloody jihad attack" in France in reaction to the "Crusader-Zionist" Sarkozy's elections victory:

"After you took your stance and placed in your leadership the Crusader-Zionist Sarkozy, who thirsts for the blood of Muslim children, women, and elderly, and yearns to carry out the mission of his masters in the White House, we in the Martyr Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades warn you that the coming days will be [days of] a bloody jihad attack and a murderous war in the heart of Sarkozy's capital [i.e. Paris] against all those who let themselves be enticed into following the policy of the despicable people in the Black House…

"Abu Hafs Al-Tikriti

"The Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades

"European Division

"May 15, 2007."

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 102

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Media Spreading Lies About Us

On May 14, 2007, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb posted a communiqué on Islamist websites, titled "The Most Recent Nonsense [Spread by] the Media," in which it denies various claims made about it in the media and calls on journalists to be more professional and accurate in their reports.

The following are excerpts:

"We categorically deny the [report]... regarding [the existence] of an internal opposition [within our organization] that objects to the strategy of martyrdom operations, and stress that there is accord within [our] organization... [In fact,] we hereby announce to the nation, as our Emir has already announced, that the list of martyrdom [seekers] is growing daily, and that the apostates and Crusaders had better start digging graves for themselves.

"We [also] deny the reports that 17 jihad fighters have been killed... We urge our Muslim brothers in Algeria and outside it to shut their ears to the hysterical lies which will probably escalate as the victories of the jihad fighters continue [to multiply]...

"We call on these biased papers to be more objective and neutral... and on every [journalist] in these papers who still has some honesty and professionalism left not to take part in this deliberate deception."