Philippines satisfaction over the release of La Croz; al-Zarqawi threatens Japan
Iraq-Philippines, Politics, 7/21/2004

Al-Tawhid Wal Jihad group of Khaled Bin al-Walid contingent -- which is suspected to be led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- demanded the Japanese government to withdraw its forces from Iraq, the same as the Philippines had done. The statement which attributed to the group and issued on an Islamic website threatened to launch attacks against these forces.

The statement also warned Arab and Islamic governments and companies of sending forces to Iraq. It, in particular warned the Gulf states, the Arab Mashreq states, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia.

He stressed that the group will strike by an iron fist every one who supports the Americans and the Interim Iraqi government and its President Eyad Allawi. The statement threatened the Arab and Islamic forces if they come to Iraq to fight them before the Americans.

Al-Zarqawi's statement came hours after a group calling itself the Islamic army, Khaled Bin al-Walid group, released the Philippine hostage Angelo De La Croz who was kidnapped on July 7th after Manila approved a request demanded by the group to withdraw all its forces from Iraq.

The release of La Croz -- a father of 8 children -- was met with a people and government's satisfaction in the Philippines. President Gloria Oryo, herself confirmed the release of the hostage and talked with him and his wife who is in Amman since one week expressing her happiness over his return back.

The Philippine's embassy in Baghdad got the hostage from the United Arab Emirates UAE embassy there, where he was first handed over by the detaining group earlier in the day.

Previous Stories:
  Philippines withdraws all its forces within 24 hours, Allawi agrees to bombard Falluja   (7/19/2004)
  Allawi urges Manila not to be subjected to kidnappers demands; A beheaded body was found in Iraq   (7/16/2004)
  Kidnappers of the Philippine hostage send last warning   (7/16/2004)

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