Jaysh Al-Islam Threatens an All-Out War Against Hamas if It Continues to Press for the Release of Alan Johnston

On June 27, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué issued in the name of Jaysh Al-Islam, the Palestinian organization which kidnapped BBC's Alan Johnston, in the wake of the recent kidnapping of two of its own members by Hamas, which is exerting pressure upon Jaysh Al-Islam to release Johnston. In the communiqué, Jaysh Al-Islam reiterated that if its demands are not met, "[Johnston] will remain in captivity for 1,000 years, or will be slaughtered like a lamb." It warned Hamas that if the latter continues in its aggression, Jaysh Al-Islam would respond in kind by declaring an all-out war on Hamas.

The following are excerpts from the communiqué:

"'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades had the audacity to kidnap two Jaysh Al-Islam Jihad fighters, as they were returning from morning prayers at the mosque. The two are Field Commander Abu 'Ubeidah Dughmush and Jihad fighter Abu Al-Majid Habib...

"...Our demand [of the British government] is patently clear: Release our three prisoners – Sajda [Al-Rishawi], Abu Qatada Al-Falastini, and Abu Muhammad Al-Muqadassi – and we will release the prisoners held by us. This is not up for discussion or negotiations. He will remain in captivity for 1,000 years, or will be slaughtered like a lamb...

"Hamas members and [members of' 'Izz Al-Din] Al-Qassam, be mindful of Allah [when] human lives [are at stake.] How [will you explain] to Allah [in the world to come] and in your newspapers that you were killed for the sake of an infidel? [And what] if you release the prisoner, and Sajda is then executed? Her blood will be on your hands...

"We have not started a war against anyone, but... [if we have no alternative,] we will act upon the Islamic law of self-defense... To the jurisprudents who stray from the straight path, we say: 'If you dare [to sanction] the killing of people whose lives are protected by Islamic law, or [harm] their property, or their honor... we will respond in kind... and destroy you immediately...'"

Kataib Thawrat Al-'Ishrin Threatens to Punish Anyone Who Has a Role in Ratifying the New Oil Law

On June 26, 2007 an Islamist website posted a press release signed by the Iraqi organization Kata'ib Thawrat Al-Ishrin, a Sunni military organization which did not join the ISI. In the statement, the organization warns that it will punish any person who is involved in ratifying the new Oil Law, recently submitted to the parliament, a law that the organization describes as "designed to steal the wealth of our land."