Qaeda-Linked Group Gives Italy 15 Days to Leave Iraq (August 1, 2004)
Sun Aug 1, 2004 10:24 AM ET DUBAI (Reuters) - A militant group claiming links to al Qaeda has given Italy a 15-day deadline to withdraw its troops from Iraq or face attacks, in a statement sent to the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper Sunday.
"We are mobilizing our cells everywhere in Rome and other Italian cities and we give (Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi 15 days to withdraw from Iraq," said the statement signed by Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades -- al Qaeda Organization.
"After that we will not be responsible for any loss of lives," said the statement, made available to Reuters ahead of publication. Its authenticity could not be immediately verified.
"We had already sent you an earlier message asking you to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible but have not seen anything yet ... and this is why the language of blood is on its way to you," the Arabic-language statement, which was addressed to Berlusconi's government and dated July 31, added.
The group has previously issued threats against European countries, saying it would start with Italy, for not responding to a "truce" issued to European states by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden which expired in July.
The truce gave countries three months to pull troops out of Afghanistan, Iraq and other Muslim states or face attacks like the Madrid train bombings in March that killed 191 people.
U.S. officials have said Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades links with al Qaeda are unclear. Abu Hafs al-Masri has claimed the Madrid bombings and attacks in Turkey and Iraq, but its claims have been met with skepticism by some security experts.
In its latest statement, the group warned that it would "shake" Italy and scorch its land.
"These 15 days may be a last chance for you and your people ... the invasion of Madrid and the invasion of Istanbul are clear evidence we mean what we say," it said.
Berlusconi, a close U.S. ally, backed last year's invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein and Italy has around 2,700 troops in Iraq. © Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.