Ansar al-Sunnah Army Steps up Campaign Against Iraqi Elections
By Evan Kohlmann
Following in close succession to similar statements from Al-Qaida's Committee in Iraq and other militant groups, the Ansar al-Sunnah Army has issued two final "ultimatums" to the Iraqi people regarding the upcoming democratic national elections. The statements make clear that Ansar al-Sunnah is intent upon attacking voters, election centers, poll volunteers, and political candidates--even after the election is over. The Ansar al-Sunnah Army appears to be particularly focused on potential election targets in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. It is still unclear how significant these threats of violence will be in deterring Iraqi voters from going to the polls.
Click to view translation of Jan. 27 final ultimatum on the Iraqi elections from Ansar al-Sunnah
Click to view translation of Jan. 27 final ultimatum to election center staff in the city of Mosul
Click to view Jan. 27 video of Ansar al-Sunnah breaking into an election center in Mosul and blowing it up with a placed charge (as seen on NBC Nightly News)
Update: For those interested, I will be a guest on MSNBC tonight between 5:30 and 6pm EST discussing various leadership figures in Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qaida faction in Iraq who have been recently captured or killed.
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