Islamic militant group blamed for deadly attacks on foreign and local interests in Iraq threatened Japan today that car bombs would strike its troops if they were not withdrawn.

"To the government of Japan: do what the Philippines has done. By God, nobody will protect you and we are not going to tolerate anybody," said an online statement signed by the Khalid bin al-Waleed Brigade, the military wing of the Tawhid and Jihad group.

"Lines of cars laden with explosives are awaiting you; we will not stop, God willing," said the statement, carried by an Islamic forum, known as a clearing house for statements by extremist groups.

"You didn't come to support the people of Iraq but to protect the Americans. Your destiny will be the same as Americans," the statement said.

Japan has dispatched about 500 troops to southern Iraq for non-combat duty to rebuild local schools, provide medical supplies and supply clean water. The military mission, begun earlier this year, is controversial in Japan as its first to a combat zone since the Second World War.

In April, Japan refused to withdraw its troops after three Japanese were kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents. The three were later released.

But the Philippines gave in to kidnappers' demands, withdrawing its 51-member contingent after a Filipino truck driver was taken hostage. The man was freed Tuesday. Manila's acquiescence angered Iraqi and American officials, who said it would only encourage the terrorists.

Tawhid and Jihad is considered one of the most dangerous groups fighting coalition forces in Iraq. The group, led by Al Qaeda-linked militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. troops and Iraqi police and security forces that have killed hundreds, as well as the beheading of American, Bulgarian and South Korean hostages.

The group's statement also warned Arab and Islamic governments not to deploy troops to Iraq, naming Jordan, Iran, Turkey and Gulf countries.

"We are warning you for the last time: We will hit with a fist of iron all those supporting the Americans or (interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad) Allawi or his cronies," the statement read.

Addressing the soldiers of Islamic and Arab governments: "We call upon you to disobey if you were ordered to be deployed to Iraq."

On Sunday, al-Zarqawi offered a reward to anyone killing Allawi.

U.S. authorities have offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of al-Zarqawi.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...ol=968350060724

If they kill significant number of the sdf. That may benefit us in the long run. I am interested to see how this will play out. Most likely nothing will happen with these terrorists and their empty threats.

the Japanese should do what the philippines did and withdraw. this ain't their fight.

Please stop using of the word "j@p"; it is a racist term.

hmmm.....i thought racist terms such as j@p are filtered up just like the bad words are....

for example, if you type in f.u.c.k it will read in the post as fu-k.. doesnt that same also happen for racist terms such as j.a.p? ....i'm confused!

but anyways, ogumo.....what do you think the japanese troops in iraq should do in response to the terrorist threats????

Eliminate the threat at it's source.

Agree with Ogumo.

Didn't those radicalist able to distinguish between someone who is there to help them and someone who is there to catch them. I guess not. This is what poor education will do to you. Think with emotion rather than ration. What a damn bully.

Whole bunch of dumb asses terrorist. Not to say that I support the Iraq war. I don't.. But I understand and agree with the anger of Iragi and American with the withdrawn of the philipines troop. Very short sighted and it's going to cost more innocent life in the future with the withdrawn. The people the terrorist kidnap have nothing to do with the war. What a moron..

Also, Osirak. What makes you think that most of the members of US troop wants to be there? They have no choice. The got lured into military thinking that they are going to get free education. You either serves (potentially get killed) or not serving and go to jail. Either way they are screwed. Also, notice that most of the soldiers came from very poor family. I saw it somewhere on US tv talking about the recruiting scheme the military is doing to get the fresh blood. Poor 18 years old kids getting send to combat not knowing what they are getting themselves into. .

The Dude.

If you're in the military isn't it your job to fight for the country you're in? I don't understand how you would say they were lured? They were lured to join the army? What did they think were going to happened? I'm sick of seeing myself paying for taxes and the money goes to these kids in the military to get them better educated and money and they protest the war when it comes. It's EVERY citizen job to fight for the country you're currently living in. There's no such thing as a free lunch. You want democracy? Fight for it.

I can see more kidnapping cases now after the Philipines withdrew. People should listen to bush, we can't be soft on these bastards, there's no negotiation with terrorists.

there ain't no draft.

Call it whatever. But when you don't have choice and you thought by going to military you can get better education so that you don't have to live in poverty no more and at same time protecting your country, but then someone take advantage of you, then what do you call that? Isn't draft also when you don't have choice no more?



But not when you join national guard. Which most of the kids thought they were joining. Who would ever thought that the government will send their National Guard over for war in other country. Kind of defeat the title "National Guard" doesn't it?


I have no problem paying my tax dollars for people who want to better themselves. Better than some dumb asses thing like this iraq war. Paying my tax dollars for the benefit of some rich white boys like Bush, Cheney and their cohorts. Enron ring a bell?

It's easy when you can afford the cost of education. But when you are poor and you want to better yourselves? It's a different story. Plus I don't think those soldiers were complaining about it. They are good soldiers and they don't complain. But I do. For US government to take advantage of them. Extension to stay because there's not enough soldiers to take over their job after they have served and risked their life for 12 months? Why don't they recruit all of those politician's kids to serve? I read it somewhere that among all of the politicians(senators, etc.) only one of them have their kid sent to Iraq. 1 only. Go figure.

The Dude

I agree with fiji 100%. Those who label this war as strictly an American one are amazingly short sighted. Terrorist training bases are in Egypt, the Phillipines, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, etc. Recent terrorist (with Al Qaeda links) brutality has occured in Chechnya (to destabalize the government there), not to mention the brutal attacks earlier in places like Bali. And just LOOK at how a small band of international criminals completely changed the tide of the national election in Spain (due mostly to cowardly aquiensence on the part of the Spanish people). Any opposing this conflict have conveniently used the label "American" to describe it and absolve themselves of any responsibility to being involved, but the truth is that this is clearly a global conflict and Islam has a global agenda. The tenents of Islam have not changed since they ravaged India, North Africa and Southern Europe centuries ago. They did not take over those regions "peacefully" in the past and they are not doing so today. Such criminals and murderers must be hunted down and eliminated by unwavering global consensus for the stability of the international community.

To add to fiji's thoughts, if we DO negotiate with these terrorists, we automatically have elevated them in status from the level of murderous criminals to the level of political equals and representative diplomats. This must NEVER be allowed to happen.

rage

your right. pull the japanese troops out. this ain't there fight