Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Kidnappers use doves to collect ransoms
Security
(Al Bayyna Newspaper) - 13 AUG - The kidnappers of hostages in Iraq are using doves to collect the ransoms in order to avoid the Iraqi security forces. British sources have announced that IPs watched many repeated incident in which the kidnappers placed the doves near the hostages’ families’ houses carrying instructions demanding that they should tie the ransom to the dove’s legs. The dove will then transfer the ransom to the gang’s hideout.
A hostage’s family tied $10,000 to the legs of five doves when they found the doves in a cage near their house. Dr. Ziad Al Fatlawi said that this is the method used for the return of his son after he was kidnapped by a gang. The “newspaper” reported that Lieutenant Sa’ad Al Jilawi, from the MOI said, “The kidnapping gangs started using doves because the IPs have arrested many of them while they were collecting the ransom. These gangs realize that we have new devices that we use to track the doves to their hideouts.”
Labels: doves, hostages, Iraq, kidnappers, Lieutenant Sa’ad Al Jilawi, ransoms
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Round-up of violence across Iraq
Security
Roundup of Violence in Iraq -- Monday, 21 May 2007 - 08:37 AM EDT By Mohammed al Dulaimy, McClatchy Newspapers. In Baghdad, an IED killed three Iraqi soldiers. Twenty-four unidentified bodies were found. In Diyala, gunmen attacked a minibus, killing five, including a 4-year-old child.
(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1045 GMT on Tuesday:
* denotes new or updated item.
BAGHDAD - At least 25 people were killed and 60 wounded when a car bomb exploded near a popular market in the Amil district in southwestern Baghdad, police said.
* NEAR BAQUBA - Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms at a fake checkpoint killed a family of six, including four children, in a town near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - At least four college students were killed and 25 wounded in a mortar attack at Ibn al-Haitham college in Adhamiya district in northern Baghdad, police said.
RIYADH - The bodies of two Arbil airport employees were found shot and tortured in the town of Riyadh, 60 km (40 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, police said.
BAGHDAD - U.S. forces detained 15 suspected insurgents, including two alleged insurgent cell leaders, during raids around Iraq targeting al-Qaeda, the U.S. military said.
NEAR GARMA - U.S. forces killed nine insurgents in a ground and air attack and freed 12 hostages held near the town of Garma, about 50 km (35 miles) west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
MAHMUDIYA - One person was killed and five wounded, all from the same family, by a mortar round in the town of Mahmudiya, about 30 km (20 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
HAWIJA - A roadside bomb killed one person and wounded another near the town of Hawija, 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, police said.
BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb exploded near a police station, killing one person and wounding three others in Zayouna district in eastern Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb wounded five people in Mansour district in western Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - The bodies of 24 people were found shot in different districts of Baghdad on Monday, police said.
BAGHDAD - Two people were killed and 15 wounded by a mortar round in al-Shurta al-Rabiae district in southwestern Baghdad on Monday, police said.
BAGHDAD - A car bomb killed one person and wounded five in al-Iskan district in western Baghdad on Monday, police said.
BASRA - One British soldier was killed when gunmen attacked a military fuel truck on Monday in Basra, 550 km (340 miles) south of Baghdad, the British military said.
* denotes new or updated item.
BAGHDAD - At least 25 people were killed and 60 wounded when a car bomb exploded near a popular market in the Amil district in southwestern Baghdad, police said.
* NEAR BAQUBA - Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms at a fake checkpoint killed a family of six, including four children, in a town near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - At least four college students were killed and 25 wounded in a mortar attack at Ibn al-Haitham college in Adhamiya district in northern Baghdad, police said.
RIYADH - The bodies of two Arbil airport employees were found shot and tortured in the town of Riyadh, 60 km (40 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, police said.
BAGHDAD - U.S. forces detained 15 suspected insurgents, including two alleged insurgent cell leaders, during raids around Iraq targeting al-Qaeda, the U.S. military said.
NEAR GARMA - U.S. forces killed nine insurgents in a ground and air attack and freed 12 hostages held near the town of Garma, about 50 km (35 miles) west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
MAHMUDIYA - One person was killed and five wounded, all from the same family, by a mortar round in the town of Mahmudiya, about 30 km (20 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
HAWIJA - A roadside bomb killed one person and wounded another near the town of Hawija, 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, police said.
BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb exploded near a police station, killing one person and wounding three others in Zayouna district in eastern Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb wounded five people in Mansour district in western Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - The bodies of 24 people were found shot in different districts of Baghdad on Monday, police said.
BAGHDAD - Two people were killed and 15 wounded by a mortar round in al-Shurta al-Rabiae district in southwestern Baghdad on Monday, police said.
BAGHDAD - A car bomb killed one person and wounded five in al-Iskan district in western Baghdad on Monday, police said.
BASRA - One British soldier was killed when gunmen attacked a military fuel truck on Monday in Basra, 550 km (340 miles) south of Baghdad, the British military said.
Labels: Adhamiyah, Amil, Baqouba, Basra, car bomb, Garma, gunmen, Hawija, hostages, Mahmoudiya, Mansour, mortar rounds, Riyadh, roadside bombs
Monday, May 07, 2007
Destiny of German hostages remains unknown
Kidnapping
(Asharq Al Awsat Newspaper) - 5 MAY - A German Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that Berlin is still concerned about the destiny of the German hostages who have been kidnapped in Iraq for the past three months. In Berlin, Martin Yeager, said that the Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Room is working hard for the safe return of the hostages, 61-year-old Hannelore Kraus and her twenty-year-old son. The kidnapping occurred February 6th in Baghdad by a group that calls itself, The Battalions of the Arrows of Righteousness. The group has demanded the withdrawal of German forces from Afghanistan in exchange for the hostage’s release which has been rejected by the German government because they refuse this type of extortion.
Labels: abduction, Germans, Hannelore Krause, hostages, Martin Yeager, The Battalions of the Arrows of Righteousness
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Germany given 10-day deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan by abductors
Security
(Reuters) - Iraqi militants holding a German woman and her son hostage said on Tuesday they were giving Germany a new deadline of 10 days to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan or the two would be killed. The Arrows of Righteousness group posted a video on the Internet showing Hannelore Marianne Krause urging Germans to press their government to heed the demands of the militants. She broke down in tears at one stage.
The group had issued an earlier ultimatum on March 10 that it would kill the pair if Berlin failed to pull out its troops from Afghanistan. The two were seized from their home in western Baghdad in early February. "I urge the German people to help me in my difficult situation," said Krause, according to an Arabic translation of her comments, only parts of which could be heard.
"Germany was safe before it got involved in this satanic coalition with America against what they call terrorism," said Krause, shown sitting on the ground next to her son. "Maybe for the last time ... I urge you. Perhaps you can go to the newspapers, perhaps you can organize a protest march ... contact people who can help you, please please, please," she said, addressing a son and daughter living in Germany.
A militant speaking on the video but out of sight said: "We are giving the German government another 10 days to begin withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan or we shall kill this criminal woman and her son who works in the Foreign Ministry of the government of (Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-) Maliki."
The group had issued an earlier ultimatum on March 10 that it would kill the pair if Berlin failed to pull out its troops from Afghanistan. The two were seized from their home in western Baghdad in early February. "I urge the German people to help me in my difficult situation," said Krause, according to an Arabic translation of her comments, only parts of which could be heard.
"Germany was safe before it got involved in this satanic coalition with America against what they call terrorism," said Krause, shown sitting on the ground next to her son. "Maybe for the last time ... I urge you. Perhaps you can go to the newspapers, perhaps you can organize a protest march ... contact people who can help you, please please, please," she said, addressing a son and daughter living in Germany.
A militant speaking on the video but out of sight said: "We are giving the German government another 10 days to begin withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan or we shall kill this criminal woman and her son who works in the Foreign Ministry of the government of (Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-) Maliki."
The militant said the woman was targeted partly because she worked at the Austrian embassy in Baghdad. "Austria is a government hostile to Islam and Muslims and it also has troops to kill our children in Afghanistan," he said. Krause said: "I also urge Austria to stand by me as I have worked many years at the (Austrian) commercial section ... Austria also has troops in Afghanistan and now I am going to be killed for that. I urge you to please help me."
Germany, which opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, has about 3,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO force stationed in the country after U.S.-led troops toppled the Taliban in 2001 for harboring al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Austria said last month it had five officers in Afghanistan and was not planning to send more troops. Krause is married to an Iraqi physician and moved to Iraq 40 years ago. Her son is reported to be in his mid-20s and has dual German-Iraqi citizenship. The German government has said it is working to try to secure the hostages' release but will not be blackmailed.
Germany, which opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, has about 3,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO force stationed in the country after U.S.-led troops toppled the Taliban in 2001 for harboring al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Austria said last month it had five officers in Afghanistan and was not planning to send more troops. Krause is married to an Iraqi physician and moved to Iraq 40 years ago. Her son is reported to be in his mid-20s and has dual German-Iraqi citizenship. The German government has said it is working to try to secure the hostages' release but will not be blackmailed.
Labels: Afghanistan, Arrows of Righteousness, Austria, Germany, Hannelore Krause, hostages
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Browne - U.K. in direct communication with Iran
Security, U.K., Iran
(Reuters) - Britain is in "direct bilateral communication" with Iran as it tries to win the release of 15 detained sailors and marines, Defense Secretary Des Browne said on Sunday. "We are anxious that this matter be resolved as quickly as possible and that it be resolved by diplomatic means and we are bending every single effort to that," Browne told BBC television. "It's not my intention to go through the detail of that blow by blow, and it wouldn't be appropriate to do that, but we are in direct bilateral communication with the Iranians," he said.
Iranian protesters had earlier hurled stones and firecrackers at Britain's embassy in Tehran in a worsening crisis over 15 British naval personnel captured on March 23. No one was hurt by the small explosive devices, which went off with loud bangs and sent clouds of smoke rising from inside the compound. About 100 demonstrators chanted: "British, British, death to you, death to you."
Demonstrators, who scuffled with police, included members of the Basij, a hardline religious militia. Iran's capture of the sailors and marines has drawn international criticism but Tehran has ignored calls to release the 14 men and one woman, saying Britain must admit they illegally entered Iranian waters.
Iranian protesters had earlier hurled stones and firecrackers at Britain's embassy in Tehran in a worsening crisis over 15 British naval personnel captured on March 23. No one was hurt by the small explosive devices, which went off with loud bangs and sent clouds of smoke rising from inside the compound. About 100 demonstrators chanted: "British, British, death to you, death to you."
Demonstrators, who scuffled with police, included members of the Basij, a hardline religious militia. Iran's capture of the sailors and marines has drawn international criticism but Tehran has ignored calls to release the 14 men and one woman, saying Britain must admit they illegally entered Iranian waters.
Labels: Defense Secretary Des Browne, hostages, Iran, sailors, U.K.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Al-Hashimi appeals for release of German hostages
Security
(AP) - Iraq's Sunni vice president pleaded Tuesday for the kidnappers of two German citizens to release them "as a sign of goodwill." A previously unknown Iraqi insurgent group calling itself "Arrows of Righteousness" threatened in a video on March 10 to kill Hannelore Krause and her son, Sinan, unless Germany withdrew from Afghanistan within 10 days. The mother and son disappeared in Iraq on Feb 6.
The video showed the sobbing woman, sitting next to her grown son, appealing to the German government to respond to the kidnappers' demands. There has been no further word about the two. The video's authenticity could not independently verified, and German officials would not say where the two citizens were kidnapped nor what they were doing in Iraq.
"Our ethic and national responsibility needs to attract as much sympathy as we can from the world community to the ordeal now facing the Iraqi people," Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi said in a statement. "Kidnapping innocent people and holding them responsible for their countries' policies does not serve this noble goal," he said.
On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not meet demands from Islamic extremists.
"The government cannot let itself be blackmailed," Merkel said at a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The video showed the sobbing woman, sitting next to her grown son, appealing to the German government to respond to the kidnappers' demands. There has been no further word about the two. The video's authenticity could not independently verified, and German officials would not say where the two citizens were kidnapped nor what they were doing in Iraq.
"Our ethic and national responsibility needs to attract as much sympathy as we can from the world community to the ordeal now facing the Iraqi people," Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi said in a statement. "Kidnapping innocent people and holding them responsible for their countries' policies does not serve this noble goal," he said.
On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not meet demands from Islamic extremists.
"The government cannot let itself be blackmailed," Merkel said at a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Labels: Arrows of Righteousness, Germany, Hannelore Krause, hostages
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Iraqi kidnappers threaten to kill Germans if demands not meant
Security
(CNN) Iraqi militants holding a German woman and her son hostage demanded Saturday that Germany withdraw its troops from Afghanistan to ensure their safety. The little-known Arrows of Righteousness group posted video on the Internet on Saturday threatening to kill the two in 10 days if Berlin won't comply. CNN could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video. In it, a woman identified as Hannelore Marianne Krause urges German Chancellor Angela Merkel to heed the demands. A passport with that name is shown in the video. German officials did not confirm the kidnap victims' names or say why they were in Iraq.
"Crisis management officials are working on the case of the hostages" and are in contact with the appropriate government officials and with family members, according to the German Foreign Ministry. While sitting next to her son, Krause tells Merkel, "These people want to kill my son in front of my eyes, and then they'll kill me, if the German troops did not withdraw from Afghanistan." She and her adult son clutch each other and cry as they speak while three militants, two armed with large assault rifles, stand behind them. "They are not joking, and they'll kill us," Krause says. "I am very tired. Please help me. Make a decision or we will be killed."
As part of NATO's Afghanistan force, Germany has about 3,000 troops in the relatively peaceful northern part of the country. On Friday, Germany decided to send additional reconnaissance jets and personnel to the area.
German troops also help train Iraqi soldiers and police, but not in Iraq.
Krause also called on German citizens and government and nongovernmental organizations to help. The three masked men who are shown standing behind the two Germans are in civilian clothes, not the usual uniform worn by militants in Internet videos. Reading a prepared statement, one of the militants says: "We have warned you. Otherwise, you will not see their bodies. Muslims are all one nation, and have one religion. It is not acceptable that Germany leads the coalition troops in Afghanistan, and attacks the secured villages and claim it is not fighting in Iraq."
"Crisis management officials are working on the case of the hostages" and are in contact with the appropriate government officials and with family members, according to the German Foreign Ministry. While sitting next to her son, Krause tells Merkel, "These people want to kill my son in front of my eyes, and then they'll kill me, if the German troops did not withdraw from Afghanistan." She and her adult son clutch each other and cry as they speak while three militants, two armed with large assault rifles, stand behind them. "They are not joking, and they'll kill us," Krause says. "I am very tired. Please help me. Make a decision or we will be killed."
As part of NATO's Afghanistan force, Germany has about 3,000 troops in the relatively peaceful northern part of the country. On Friday, Germany decided to send additional reconnaissance jets and personnel to the area.
German troops also help train Iraqi soldiers and police, but not in Iraq.
Krause also called on German citizens and government and nongovernmental organizations to help. The three masked men who are shown standing behind the two Germans are in civilian clothes, not the usual uniform worn by militants in Internet videos. Reading a prepared statement, one of the militants says: "We have warned you. Otherwise, you will not see their bodies. Muslims are all one nation, and have one religion. It is not acceptable that Germany leads the coalition troops in Afghanistan, and attacks the secured villages and claim it is not fighting in Iraq."
SITE - http://siteinstitute.org/bin/articles.cgi?ID=publications261007&Category=publications&Subcategory=0
Labels: Arrows of Righteousness, Germany, Hannelore Marianne Krause, hostages
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Abductions curbed by military operations
Security
(Gulf News) The wave of kidnappings that had swept the Iraqi capital till a few days ago has been restricted after the implementation of the 'Imposing Law' security plan, according to citizens. The captors are facing difficulties in carrying out their missions in Baghdad's suburbs, crowded with military and security barricades, they added. The motives behind abductions ranged from the common demand for heavy ransom to assassination of the detainees, according to Iraqi residents.
Some of the abductions aim to sponsor armed groups. In the Sunni-majority city of Al Adhamiya, kidnapping has another aspect. Captors tell the potential victim that if he doesn't pay the jihad payment, he will be abducted and then the bargains will start between them and his family.
Except Al Qaida in Iraq, which is led by Abu Hamza Al Muhajir, and the Shiite militias, the sole purpose of the kidnappings is to turn the hostage before a court that issues the death sentence to him. Money, therefore, has no place in these groups' minds. As in the case of Al Muhajir organisation, Shiite armed militias and specifically the Mehdi Army, have specific goals unless the kidnapped has Shiite roots.
Some of the abductions aim to sponsor armed groups. In the Sunni-majority city of Al Adhamiya, kidnapping has another aspect. Captors tell the potential victim that if he doesn't pay the jihad payment, he will be abducted and then the bargains will start between them and his family.
Except Al Qaida in Iraq, which is led by Abu Hamza Al Muhajir, and the Shiite militias, the sole purpose of the kidnappings is to turn the hostage before a court that issues the death sentence to him. Money, therefore, has no place in these groups' minds. As in the case of Al Muhajir organisation, Shiite armed militias and specifically the Mehdi Army, have specific goals unless the kidnapped has Shiite roots.
Labels: Abu Hamza Al Muhajir, Al Qaeda in Iraq, hostages, kidnapping, operation Imposing Law, Shiite militias
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Peacemaker team hostages released
Security
(Salt Lake Tribune) A former student is safely home after being kidnapped during a service mission in Iraq. Will Van Wagenen was volunteering with Christian Peacemaker Teams in northern Iraq when he, team member Peggy Gish, an Iraqi associate and a translator were taken captive Jan. 27, a CPT spokesperson said. Gish and the translator were released shortly after the abduction and returned to a CPT apartment unharmed, but Van Wagenen and the Iraqi associate were not. After more than a week in captivity, Van Wagenen and his Iraqi colleague were released Feb. 4. Neither was harmed.
Peacemaker Teams is a faith-based, violence-reduction group that sends trained peacemakers into war- and conflict-affected locations around the world. It was formed by Mennonites, Quakers and The Church of the Brethren in 1984, with a mission to help safeguard human rights through nonviolent actions. The CPT has had a presence in Iraq since October 2002 and has suffered kidnappings before. In November 2005, four CPT members were taken hostage, and one, Tom Fox, was murdered. The other three were rescued in March 2006. CPT spokesperson Michele Naar-Obed said the organization is constantly assessing the risks and dangers of working in Iraq, as well as the value of that work.
Labels: Christian Peacemaker Teams, hostages
