Two Australians kidnapped in Iraq

[Mycroft]

An Iraqi group says it has abducted two Australians and two East Asians in another spiral of Iraq's grim series of hostage-takings, as Italy stepped up efforts to free two women aid workers.

Australia said it was "moving heaven and earth" to investigate the claim, which came in a statement issued in the name of the "Horror Brigades" of the Islamic Secret Army.

The statement, handed out in the Sunni Muslim insurgent bastion of Samarra, gave Australia 24 hours to end its involvement in Iraq or the hostages would be executed.

The self-styled Horror Brigades calls itself the northern armed wing of the Secret Islamic Army, whose Holders of the Black Banners unit claimed the execution of two Pakistani hostages in late July.

Horror Brigade?

My sympathy to the people of Australia.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/13/1094927514770.html

 

[The Fool]

I had not heard this story...although I'm actually a little surprised it has not happened yet. Thre is no chance of an Australian withdrawal from Iraq, even if there is a change of government the new government is just as aware of the importance of continuing the "all the way with LBJ" policy. Thier claims of a "withdrawal by christmas" impresses me just about as much as all other things that people claim will happen "by christmas" I have heard that "troops to be home by Christmas" crap in every war and every christmas...

Going on past events I don't like thier chances....That high paying security contract in Iraq probably doesn't look so attractive now.

 

[The Fool]

This story appears to be a hoax....No australians are unaccounted for and nobody is coming forward with any Australian hostages..

 

[merphie]

I wonder why the terrorist think this is a good strategy?