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.
I wonder who could have done such a pathetic thing! LOL!
Hey, has anyone seen Mary Mapes and crew lately?
"I sent the photos to Drudge too, but someone got their first cause as soon as I finished it was already up."
Kool.
Don't feel bad.
It just means we are 'double checking' our sources!
:0)
They couldn't buy a clue if their lives depended on it.
And watch, they will NOT report that it was a hoax, ever. They'll just drop the story.
The height and angle of the gun is all wrong as well. Maybe he is standing on a step stool? :)
Chortle!
Everything else is just a toy!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
You can't make this stuff up!
I am just hearing that insurgents have an American soldier on the news from Buffalo...WBEN.
Is this the guy? Mr. G. I. Joe? Or is there a real captive? I sure hope its just the doll...
The MSM are real quick to put the negative crap up aren't they. I wonder how quick they'll be to address this as a fake? Not holding my breath.
tell me if I'm mistaken, but... doesn't this photo look a little odd... like a diorama/miniature setup made by a not-so-skilled modeller?
You must see this thread...and most importantly, see #308. LOL
I heard that she comes with all of her stuff and half of Ken's.
;-)
I called my local station, they said they were going to mention it but don't know much about it. Told him about Drudge, he looked while I was on the phone, started cracking up and said oh my I'm going to walk it over to the newsroom now and thanked me.
It's the light glare and the ill fitting vest that gives it away. This is too funny, they are threatening to behead a doll!
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