Sunday, September 03, 2006

Iraq Sunni group claims deadly attacks on Shi'ites

DUBAI, Sept 3 (Reuters) - An Iraqi Sunni Muslim militant group claimed responsibility on Sunday for a series of attacks against Shi'ites in Baghdad on Thursday in which 50 people were killed.

In a statement posted on the Internet, Jamaat Jund al-Sahaba (Soldiers of the Prophet's Companions) said the attacks were in retaliation against what it said were killings of Sunni Muslims by Shi'ite militias.

"God has enabled your brethren in the Jamaat Jund al-Sahaba to carry out a series of blessed operations against the strongholds of rejectionists (Shi'ites)..." said the statement posted on a Web site used by militant groups including al Qaeda.

"We tell the hateful rejectionists that our swords can reach the depth of your territories so stop killing unarmed Sunni people and supporting crusaders or await more operations that will rock your areas with God's help," it added.

The authenticity of the statement could not be verified.

Read the rest at Reuters Alternet