Al-Qaida's "Islamic State of Iraq" Urges Immediate Support for Somali Islamists

By Evan Kohlmann

In a statement issued yesterday, the Al-Qaida-led "Islamic State of Iraq" urged Muslims around the world to stand behind the retreating Islamic Courts militia in Somalia--including with "money, weapons, and men." According to the statement from Al-Qaida's "Islamic State":

"...Major battles are now taking place between the Crusaders and the Soldiers of Allah in the Muslim land of Somalia, with the approval of the apostates in the caretaker Somali government and with the support of the alliance of crusader nations--at their head, the White House administration in Washington. The blood of Muslims is being spilled there, and their houses and villages are being destroyed. Thousands of their women, children, elderly are being expelled and left homeless, and this is only happening because they are Muslims... The Islamic State of Iraq calls upon all Muslims to stand with their brothers in Somalia, to support them with money, weapons, and men, and to pray for them that Allah grants them victory over their enemies..."

Just weeks ago, Al-Qaida's "Islamic State" issued a formal congratulatory note to the Islamic Courts on their conquest of the strategic town of Dinsor--which now has reportedly fallen back into the hands of Ethiopian and Somali government forces.

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