Iraq group issues death threat

The Islamic State of Iraq threatens to kill nine abducted police and soldiers.

Iraq security forces held by Islamic State of Iraq
The group allegedly killed up to 20 security officials in a similar incident last month [AP]
The nine each give their names and ranks, and several of them called on their comrades to quit the security forces.
 
“I ask my brothers to leave work with the military and return to their religion,” said a lieutenant colonel, the highest ranking officer among the men.
 
The Islamic State of Iraq claimed in a statement put out a day earlier that it had abducted the nine in Diyala province, north of Baghdad.
 
There was no immediate confirmation from the government that the men were seized.
 
Retaliation claim
 
In Tuesday’s video, a voice-over said, “We give al-Maliki’s renegade government 72 hours to respond to our demands. Otherwise, God’s judgment will be implemented.”
 
It did not clarify when the 72 hour time period began.
 
The incident is the second time the Islamic State of Iraq has claimed the kidnap of Iraqi security officials in connection to the reported rape of a woman in Tal Afar.
 
The 50-year-old Sunni woman came forward in February and said Iraqi soldiers raped her when they raided her house searching for weapons.
 
On April 19, the Islamic State of Iraq issued a video showing the execution of 20 Iraqi soldiers and policemen who it claimed to have kidnapped in retaliation for the rape.
 
It had issued similar demands several days before killing the men.
 
The Iraqi government, however, denied 20 security officers were missing and claimed the group may have killed civilians dressed up in uniforms.
Source: News Agencies