Islamist Websites Monitor No. 66
Islamic State in Iraq Accuses Iraqi Government of Publishing False Reports About Al-Muhajir
On February 16, 2007 the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) posted a communiqué on Islamist websites denying reports that its leader, Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir, has been wounded. The communiqué states: "The [Iraqi] government has announced that members of the apostate and collaborator forces wounded Sheikh Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir and killed his assistant in North Baghdad... However, [the fact is that] he and his immigrant brothers are living comfortably among [the Iraqi mujahideen]..."
The communiqué adds that if Al-Maliki's government has to resort to such lies, which even the Americans deny, its downfall must be imminent.
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 67
Mujahideen Brigades in Eritrea Threaten To Strike at Foreign Companies and Institutions
On February 20, 2007 Islamist websites posted a communiqué by a group calling itself "The Mujahideen Brigades in Eritrea." The message opens by criticizing the government in Eritrea for its harsh domestic policies which include, among other things, indiscriminate arrests of young people, children, women, the elderly, etc. The message then proceeds to address the Eritrean nation, urging them not to cooperate with "the government destructive plans," and instead to join the mujahideen's effort "to rid [the country] of this nightmare" and to support the mujahideen.
The message also warns that the Mujahideen Brigades in Eritrea considers every "exploitative foreign company and institution" in the country a legitimate target, and that if these companies wish to protect their associates they must exit Eritrea immediately.
Finally, the message calls upon soldiers and commanders in the Eritrean army to participate in the mujahideen's efforts against the government, and threatens members of the Eritrean security services, saying that they will pay for their deeds after the imminent fall of the current Eritrean government.
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 68
The Islamic State in Iraq Mocks Blair's Plan to Withdraw From Iraq
In a February 21, 2007 communiqué, the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) responded to Blair's announcement regarding his plan to withdraw British troops from Iraq. The communiqué referred to this as Blair's "plan to flee Iraq" and as "the first step in the disintegration of the Crusader alliance," adding that Blair has chosen to "leave [his] friend [Bush] to sink in the Iraqi quagmire."
The communiqué also mentioned Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi's plan for defeating the Coalition forces in Iraq, thus implicitly urging the mujahideen to implement it. The message explained that on the military level, this plan seeks to increase jihad operations in Baghdad and in other areas, "taking advantage of the... enemy's flagging fighting spirit," while on the political level it seeks to intensify the efforts to expand the ISI, which will "unite all the banners of jihad" in Iraq.
