UPDATE: A video posted on the website now shows the beheading of a hostage. After a statement was read, a man rushed forward with a knife and
performed the beheading. The voice on the video is said to be that of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The voice also addressed President Bush stating: "Now,
you have people who love death just like you love life. Killing for the sake of God is their best wish, getting to your soldiers and allies are their
happiest moments, and cutting the heads of the criminal infidels is implementing the orders of our lord." The victim Eugene Armstrong, traveled world
wide for his construction business. He leaves behind a wife.
In an unconfirmed report, an Islamist web site has stated that one of the two American recently kidnaped had been executed after the deadline has
passed. Iraq has seen a recent surge in kidnaping and the total number is up to 120 at this time. The web site claimed that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had
beheaded the first American and that the others would follow. The group has indicated that video proof would be forthcoming.
news.yahoo.com
CAIRO, Egypt - A Web site posting claimed that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group has beheaded one of the American hostages in Iraq (news - web sites),
but the claim could not be verified. The short statement, posted by a Web site contributor who has put up past statements signed in the name of Tawhid
and Jihad, said that al-Zarqawi, "God protect him, has beheaded the first American. The group will next behead the others." The posting promises
video proof "soon, God willing."
The reliability and authenticity of such statements, videos and pictures, which appear frequently on Internet sites known for their Islamic content,
cannot be known for certain. In July, a statement was posted by what was described as the "media department" of Tawhid and Jihad saying that all of
the group's statements would only be posted through al-Iraqi.
Relatives had been pleading for the release of two Americans and a Briton held hostage as a deadline passed for their beheading. In Baghdad, gunmen
assassinated two clerics from a powerful Sunni Muslim group opposed to the U.S. presence in Iraq.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
The fate of the remaining hostages is unclear at this time. The email message was signed by Abu Maysarah al-Iraqi. this false name has appeared in
the past on the web site and it was a message with his name that had placed the 48 hour deadline for the hostages. The Tawhid and Jihad group, lead by
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has indicated that they would behead Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong of the United States and Kenneth Bigley of Briton today.
The group is demanding the release of Iraqi women from two prisons.
The insurgents appear to be targeting foreign companies that have poured into Iraq to reconstruct the country, They also are attempting to disrupt the
elections that are pending as well.
[edit on 20-9-2004 by Banshee]
[edit on 20-9-2004 by FredT]
[edit on 20-9-2004 by FredT]
[edit on 21-9-2004 by John bull 1]
[edit on 24-9-2004 by Banshee]