Posted on 02/01/2005 11:22:09 AM PST by Peach
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi militants claimed in a Web statement Tuesday to have taken an American soldier hostage and threatened to behead him in 72 hours unless the Americans release Iraqi prisoners.
The posting, on a Web site that frequently carried militants' statements, included a photo of what appeared to be an American soldier in desert fatigues seated with his hands tied behind his back.
A gun barrel was pointed at his head, and he is seated in front of a black banner emblazoned with the Islamic profession of faith, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His prophet."
A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, Marine Sgt. Salju K. Thomas, said he had no information on the claim but "we are currently looking into it."
A statement posted with the picture suggested the group was holding other soldiers.
"Our mujahadeen heroes of Iraq's Jihadi Battalion were able to capture American military man John Adam after killing a number of his comrades and capturing the rest," said the statement, signed by the "Mujahedeen Brigades."
"God willing, we will behead him if our female and male prisoners are not released from U.S. prisons within the maximum period of 72 hours from the time this statement has been released," the statement said.
The claim, carried on the Web site ansarnet.ws, could not be verified.
More than 180 foreigners have been kidnapped in the past year. At least 10 of them, including three American civilians, remain in the hands of their kidnappers.
The only American soldier known to have been taken hostage is Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, who was shown in a video in April being held by militants. Another video aired in June showed what purported to be Maupin's slaying, but the picture was too unclear to confirm it was him and the military still lists him as missing.
Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun went missing in Iraq in June and later photos surfaced on Arab television showing him blindfolded with a sword to his head. In July he made his way to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Back in the United States, he said he had been captured, but in December he was charged with desertion for the incident.
New Drudge headline
DID IRAQI MILITANTS TAKE 'TOY' HOSTAGE?
LOL!
No they didn't say it, but like you mentioned, I wouldn't put it past them. It's sad that we have to question spoofs of the MSM.
Someone email these poor ba$+@rd$ at CNN!
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html
Islamist group claims to hold U.S. soldier
Report unconfirmed by U.S. military
Tuesday, February 1, 2005 Posted: 1:51 PM EST (1851 GMT)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A group calling itself the Al Mujahedin Brigade claimed Tuesday it captured a U.S. soldier in Iraq and threatened to behead him unless prisoners are released.
I hope Teddy Kennedy gets up and demands the release of this soldier and the removal of troops from Iraq. I think I would die laughing
Isn't it sad though? I really wasn't sure because it sounded exactly like what we'd hear if we turned into that ridiculous station.
Actually, it was Freepers that made Drudge aware of the fake to begin with.
'Geronimo' sent the blowup to Drudge.
"Only if you put Barbie's underwear on his head first."
ROTFLMAO!
Or, blow him up with a Ken doll decked out as a homicide bomber!
No kidding? Wow. Smart kid. I thought I was cynical....
Someone set us up the doll.
This is the real press.
Ain't that the truth! And up front with the bias.
Good work!! Excellent, FReepers are amazing. Who the hell needs the old biased agenda ridden media anymore. And I'm damned happy it's a fake!!
"Or, blow him up with a Ken doll decked out as a homicide bomber!"
What? Blow him with a Ken Homo Doll?
My Gosh! LMAO!!!!!! This is the best ever.
I'm laughing so hard now just thinking about your wonderful scenario.
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