Iraq Militants Threaten to Kill American

AP wire ^ | April 10, 2004 | AP wire

[varina davis]

Iraq Militants Threaten to Kill American

April 10, 2004 03:23 PM EDT

BAGHDAD - Militants on Saturday threatened to kill and mutilate Thomas Hamill, an American civilian captured during the ambush of a convoy west of Baghdad. Also Saturday, the kidnappers of three Japanese taken hostage in Iraq said they will release them within 24 hours, the Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera reported.

The kidnappers of the Japanese, identifying themselves as the "Muhahedeen Squadron," said they made the decision after mediation by the Islamic Clerics Committee, an Iraqi Sunni Muslim organization, Al-Jazeera reported.

In a statement, the kidnappers urged the Japanese public to press their government to withdraw its troops from Iraq, the station said.

Videotape delivered to Al-Jazeera, as well as Associated Press Television News, on Thursday showed the three Japanese - two aid workers and a journalist - blindfolded and threatened by masked men with guns and knives.

The kidnappers threatened to burn the hostages alive if Japan did not promise within three days to pull its troops out of Iraq.

In another videotape given to Al-Jazeera, the American civilian Hamill was shown in front of an Iraqi flag. A spokesman off camera demanded that U.S. troops end their siege of the city of Fallujah, where four American civilians were killed and mutilated last week.

"Our only demand is to remove the siege from the city of mosques," a spokesman said in a tape given to the Al-Jazeera television network. "If you don't respond within 12 hours ... he will be treated worse than those who were killed and burned in Fallujah."

Hamill was captured by gunmen who rocketed a fuel convoy on the road between Baghdad and Fallujah on Friday. He identified himself to a reporter for Australian television seconds before being whisked away in a car by gunmen.

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[varina davis]

FYI and prayers for Thomas Hamill.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I have been praying for him as soon as I heard of his capture. May the Lord God damn these devils from hell should they harm him.

[EternalHope]

Prayers for Thomas Hamill.

Death to his captors.

[tkathy]

Fiends from hell.

[MrLee]

Where's Gen. Patton when we need him?

[RightWhale]

Our only demand is to remove the siege from the city of mosques

There wasn't any siege until these morons attacked the aid workers last week. Are the morons Muslim? No, they are apostic.

[Hibernius Druid]

Of course American muslims will take to the streets in solidarity with the United States. They'll be sure to make it clear such threatened barbarism is against the tenets of Islam, Religion of Peace. Count on that.

[Pukin Dog]

Many suspect Mr. Hamill of being only another anti-war activist, looking to effect U.S. operations in Iraq, after the Japanese activists failed to get anywhere with the Japanese government. If he is legit, he will be missed.

[realpatriot]

"May the Lord God damn these devils from hell should they harm him."

Better.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[The kidnappers of the Japanese, identifying themselves as the "Muhahedeen Squadron," said they made the decision after mediation by the Islamic Clerics Committee, an Iraqi Sunni Muslim organization, Al-Jazeera reported.]

Maybe the "Muhahedeen Squadron" ought to mediate a little more with the "Islamic Clerics Committee" before we turn Fallujah white hot.

[Dutchgirl]

This website explains how the adherents of "The Religion of Peace" TM are forbidden from mutilation and torture unless it is in retaliation...

jihadwatch

[astounded]

They'll kill him, defile his body, live on al Jazeera, and we'll wring our hands, say we can't descend to their level, and "negotiate". Where is Black Jack Pershing when we need him? These muslims understand and respect only one thing -unmerciful, relentless fury. Instead, we let them "bury their dead", bring in food and water (and, no doubt, more weaponry, ammo, and munitions), and let them regroup. I fear we've lost over there, which means we will lose over here.

[EGPWS]

FYI and prayers for Thomas Hamill.

Yes, prayers for Thomas Hamill.

I'm shocked that even an "extremist member" of the "religion of peace" would ever consider such a horrible and inhuman action. /sarcasm

[Warlord David]

If one hair of Thomas Hamill head should fall to the ground in violence. We should level that city totally.

These Islamist muslums were born in violence, they understand nothing but violence, it only fitting they should die in it also.

So this is the path of Islam. Violence, so much for enlightment.

My prayers are with Thomas, and a safe passage home.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I'm trying to be a good Christian on this Easter Eve and turn the other cheek but it is so hard.

[MagnoliaMS]

Amen. You and me, both.

[sully777]

Islam=submit? Perhaps they should practice "islam" voluntarily, or submit to SAD--Spooky Angel of Death.

[SENTINEL]

[the Real fifi]

Maybe. Does anyone have any information to support this suspicion. I am convinced BTW the Japanese were not real "hostages" and I hope Japanese intel spends a considerable amount of time with them on their release.