SPECIAL REPORT
"I Thought This Was the End"
Journalist Urban Hamid kidnapped in Iraq.
by Urban Hamid
Editor’s Note: Swedish journalist Urban Hamid’s words—and photos—first appeared in the Bullhorn’s March 11 Issue (“Iraq One Year Later”) in the form of a transcribed interview with James Thompson from the “Bullhorn Talk Show” on KRFC 88.9 FM. At the time, Hamid had recently returned from Iraq, where he spent time with the U.S. Army’s Charlie Company and with his family—he is half Iraqi.
Hamid, who once lived in Boulder for several years and attended the University of Colorado, went back to Iraq in early April. On his way to Baghdad from Amman, Jordan, he became wrapped up with the so-called Saraya al-Mujahedin, or Mujahedin Brigades, a name previously unfamiliar to the world—that is, until they kidnapped Japanese civilians (reportedly two humanitarian volunteers and a photojournalist) and threatened to burn them alive if Japan didn’t withdraw its 550 troops from Iraq. As of press time, various reports had confirmed those hostages were still being held, and seven Chinese citizens were taken captive on April 11.
On Thursday, April 8, Hamid was kidnapped and detained with seven South Korean missionaries, who claimed they were doctors and nurses instead of messengers of Christ. The Korean hostages were released seven hours later; Hamid was released within the hour, and faced even more peril in the middle of a firefight between Iraqis and American forces.
What follows is Hamid’s account of events, first published in Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The following version has been translated from the Swedish and edited for style and content.
(snip)
http://www.rockymountainbullhorn.com/Week_33_2004/nv1_news2.htm
On Thursday, April 8, Hamid was kidnapped and detained with seven South Korean missionaries, who claimed they were doctors and nurses instead of messengers of Christ. The Korean hostages were released seven hours later; Hamid was released within the hour, and faced even more peril in the middle of a firefight between Iraqis and American forces.
Maggie, I am going to read Hamid's first-hand account.
......'nuff said.
Hamid, who once lived in Boulder for several years and attended the University of Colorado, went back to Iraq in early April. On his way to Baghdad from Amman, Jordan, he became wrapped up with the so-called Saraya al-Mujahedin, or Mujahedin Brigades, a name previously unfamiliar to the world—that is, until they kidnapped Japanese civilians (reportedly two humanitarian volunteers and a photojournalist) and threatened to burn them alive if Japan didn’t withdraw its 550 troops from Iraq. As of press time, various reports had confirmed those hostages were still being held, and seven Chinese citizens were taken captive on April 11.
My what a small, small world...
First old Hamid is with the Japanese who were taken hostage, then later he gets caught with South Koreans who also were taken hostage. Is Hamid luring these folks onto thin ice on behalf of the insurgents?
Tiger, can you get this data over to some of your Korea Friends.
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/post?id=1161136%2C17
As Piasa, notes, below, it appears that Hamid might have leading/luring the Japanese and S Koreans into traps.
It would be very interesting if a couple of S Korean Commandos got to interview Hamid.
First old Hamid is with the Japanese who were taken hostage, then later he gets caught with South Koreans who also were taken hostage. Is Hamid luring these folks onto thin ice on behalf of the insurgents?