Iraq vows to step up suicide attacks
“The martyrdom attacks by the sons of Iraq and by the armed forces have just begun,” military spokesman Hazim al-Rawi told a news conference a day after a suicide bombing at a US checkpoint.
“These are the first on the glorious path of Jihad (holy war) against the invaders,” he said.
He added that the suicide attack near the central city of Najaf on Saturday had killed 11 US soldiers, rather than four as reported by Washington.
Arabs were also flocking to Baghdad seeking “martyrdom” to defeat the 11-day-old invasion.
“The Mujahideen who have come to Iraq have come from all Arab countries, without exception,” he said.
“More than 4,000 have already come to Baghdad.
“We are a believing people, a fighting people, Jihad is a must, a duty ordained by God.”
Al-Rawi said both the suicide bomber and a man who shot down a US aircraft were called “Ali”, a name common among the Shi’ite Muslims who make up more than half of Iraq’s population.
He said the participation of Shi’ites, who the United States believes are widely opposed to President Saddam Hussein, showed that Washington faced far greater resistance than expected.
Iraq’s claims follow reports that a militant Palestinian group who claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in Israel yesterday, vowed to send suicide bombers to Iraq to fight off US and British forces.
The Islamic Jihad’s military arm said the first group of Palestinians had arrived in Baghdad ready to kill American and British soldiers in suicide attacks “in response to the appeal of sacred duty in defending the land of Arabs and Muslims”.
“Our jihad (holy war) is continuing. More martyrdom-seekers are coming, God willing,” the statement said.
