Iraqi Rebels Seize, Threaten to Kill Najaf Police

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=5&u=/nm/20040910/ts_nm/iraq_policemen_dc


DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iraqi rebel group has seized four Iraqi policemen in Najaf and threatened to kill them unless police agree to stop hunting insurgents and pressuring rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, Al Jazeera television said Friday.

"They accused them (police) of pursuing the Mujahideen (fighters) and harassing Moqtada al-Sadr. They demanded a stop to these practices and a statement to this effect within 72 hours, or they will kill the hostages," it said, showing video images of the policemen sent to the channel.

Al Jazeera said the kidnappers called themselves the "Joint Forces to Stop Agents and Spies," a previously unknown group.

The radical cleric, who draws support from impoverished Shi'ite Muslims, has launched two bloody uprisings this year in the holy city of Najaf against Iraq (news - web sites)'s interim government and U.S.-led forces

[Dhalgren]

1. This is some more of that "good news" from Iraq

that Caligula has been talking about. You see every time a "rebel" or insurgent kills an American or a quisling Iraqi, it just proves they know they are losing. It makes perfect sense. :silly:

[callous taoboy]

2. Couple of retired generals said on Lehrer the other night

that anyone trying to paint a happy face on the situation in Iraq is "clearly desperate."