iraq

Terror by Video: Robert Fisk: "How Chechnya Inspired the Iraqi Kidnappers": July 26, 2004

"The pictures are grainy, the voices sometimes unclear. But when Kim Sun-il shrieks 'Don't kill me' over and over again, his fear is palpable. As the heads of Iraq's kidnap victims are sawn off, Koranic recitations--usually by a well-known Saudi imam--are played on the soundtrack. At the beheading of an American, the murderer ritually wipes his bloody knife twice on the shirt of his victim, just as Saudi officials clean their blades after public executions in the kingdom. Terror by video is now a well-established part of the Iraq war. [...] the scenario has become grimly familiar. The potential victim kneels in front of three hooded men holding Kalashnikov rifles. Sometimes he pleads for his life. Sometimes he is silent, apparently unaware of whether he is to be murdered or spared. The viewer, however, will notice something quite terrible. When the hostage is to be beheaded, the gunmen behind him are wearing gloves. They do not intend to stain their hands with an infidel's blood. [...] All sides in Iraq have joined the video war. The first day of Saddam Hussein's trial was videotaped and handed to journalists by US military censors who initially tried to delete the soundtrack--something they succeeded in doing with the 11 Baathists whose arraignment followed shortly afterwards. [...] Videos, usually delivered to one of two Arabic-language television channels--al-Jazeera or al-Arabia--are rarely shown in full. But in an outrageous spin-off, websites--especially one that appears to be in California--are now posting the full and gory contents. One American website has posted the beheading of the American Nicholas Berg and the South Korean hostage in full and bloody detail. 'Kim Sun-il Beheading Video Short Version, Long Version' the website offers. The 'short version' shows a man severing the hostage's neck. The long version includes his screaming appeal for mercy--which lasts for at least two minutes and is followed by his slaughter. On the same screen and at the same time, there are advertisements for 'Porn' and 'Horse Girls.' [...] And where does the inspiration for all these ghoulish videos come from? More than six months ago, a video went on sale in the insurgents' capital of Fallujah, allegedly showing the throat-cutting of an American soldier. In fact, the tape showed a Russian soldier being led into a room by armed men in Chechnya. He is forced to lie down--apparently unaware of his fate--and at first tries to cope with the pain as a man takes a knife to his throat. His head is then cut off. It seems certain that this tape was intended as a training manual for Iraq's new executioners."
[Counterpunch]

Turkish Truck Driver Executed by Pistol: August 2, 2004

Note: The kidnapping and execution of hostages in Iraq has unfortunately become increasingly common. In the future, Camera/Iraq will post on events such as these only when they involve new or unusual image practices.

"A Turkish construction worker was shot dead by militants in Iraq, Turkey's embassy in Baghdad said today, as concerns mount about other hostages and Turkish truckers say they'll stop ferrying supplies for U.S. forces. The identity of the worker, the first known Turkish national to be killed in Iraq, hasn't been confirmed, an embassy spokesman who requested anonymity said in a telephone interview. Two other Turks, both truck drivers, are still being held hostage in Iraq, the official said."

This appears to be the first execution by gunshot. Video of the event can be found at www.homelandsecurityus.com.
[Bloomberg]

Iraq Hostage Video Of Three Kenya Men Released: July 22, 2004

"In response to the kidnapping, the government of Kenya asked all of its citizens to leave Iraq, a government spokesman said. [...] one of the Kenyans gives a short statement in English. 'I've been sent to Kuwait for working, but I've been sent off to Iraq, which is not good. Iraq is a dangerous zone,' he said. 'I wish to tell anyone not to come to Iraq.' At this point on the video, a voice can be heard off-camera, apparently reminding him of his next line. He then adds, '... to come to help Americans. Americans they are not good. Thank you very much.' Egyptian Muhammed Ali Sanad also issued a passionate statement, begging for his own release. 'I work for KGL and we were kidnapped -- release us,' he says in Arabic. 'It is wrong to help the Americans. It is wrong to come to Kuwait. We want to go back home. 'The Egyptians need to know that we were forced to work for the Americans and the Jews. We want to go back to my brothers. They feed us here and give us water until they decide what will they do with us. We will not come to Iraq or Kuwait again. Help us to get out of here.'"
[CNN}

"Secret" Encryption Found in Frames of bin Laden August 2003 Speech: July 20, 2003

"In an in-depth analysis of a recently re-released videotape of Osama bin Laden’s August 2003 speech, Northeast Intelligence Network analysts found apparent alpha-numeric codes embedded in several frames of over 55,800 frames of the video tape analyzed. The code is not visible through normal viewing of the footage, and the viewer must know where in the lengthy footage to look for the coding sequence. The above frame illustrates a coding string found on one of the frames hidden in the footage. The video is significant itself as previously released bin Laden footage preceded the Madrid bombing attacks on 11 March 2004. Analysts have forwarded the footage, along with each isolated frame containing the coding, to law enforcement officials."
[Northeast Intelligence Network]

"Steganography is the art and science of hiding messages. Steganography is often combined with cryptography so that even if the message is discovered it cannot be read. The word steganography is derived from the Greek words "steganos" and "graphein", which mean "covered" and "writing." Steganography, therefore, is covered writing. Historical stenganography involved techniques such as disappearing ink or microdots. Modern steganography involves hiding data in computer files. It is fairly easy to hide a secret message in a graphic file without obviously altering the visible appearance of that file."
[Linux Security]
[Niels Provos and Peter Honeyman: "Detecting Steganographic Content on the Internet"—PDF]

"Al Battar": Al Qaeda's Leading Online Publication On Terrorist Techniques

Al Battar is the leading publication extending the training mission of Al Qaeda online.

"The global terrorist network al-Qaida has published a new Internet magazine providing Muslim youth the opportunity to be trained as holy warriors in the comfort of their own homes. The first issue of the publication, called Al-Battar Training Camp, concludes with an emphasis on the virtual program's convenience. 'Oh Mujahid [holy warrior] brother, in order to join the great training camps you don't have to travel to other lands,' the magazine states. 'Alone, in your home or with a group of your brothers, you too can begin to execute the training program. You can all join the Al-Battar Training Camp.'"
[WorldNetDaily]

The Northeast Intelligence Network has published a translation and analysis of Issue 8, "Al Qaeda Maps Plans for Assassinations from Camp al Battar," published via Internet on April 14, 2004. "Al Batar takes its name from the 'Sword of the Prophets.' The original Al Battar is an ancient relic [a sword] that is said to have originally belonged to Kind David of Biblical fame, and was used to cut off the head of Goliath, and was later taken as booty in battle by the Prophet Mohamed. Islamic traditions claim that this sword will be used by Jesus when he returns to earth to defeat Dajjal, the Islamic Anti-Christ."

This issue includes operational guides for automatic weapons, physical fitness programs, guides to assasination, propaganda techniques and other guides for terrorists. It is a representative example of the way insurgents are using to internet to spread their ideas.
[Al Battar Issue 7—Executive Summary of the document]
[Al Battar Issue 7—Translation]
[On the historical al-Battar]
[Middle East Media Research Institute]
[SITE Institute]

Filipino Angelo de la Cruz Taken Hostage: July 8, 2004

Angelo De la Cruz was taken captive on July 8, 2004. Shortly thereafter, a videotape circulated saying he would be released if Philippine troops were withdrawn from Iraq. After discussion within the Philippine government, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo agreed. On July 18, 2004 all troops hurriedly left the country in an effort to save De la Cruz. The both the Iraqi government and the U.S. objected: "This in my view and the view of the Iraqi government has set a bad precendent and sends the wrong messages. Terrorists won't be rewarded otherwise this will repeat itself," Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari said.

Martin Regg Cohn in the Toronto Star has a good backgrounder: "...the political culture of the Philippines is quite different, with Filipinos virtually unanimous in urging their government to do whatever it takes to save the life of overseas worker Angelo de la Cruz. That's because de la Cruz, a father of eight, is considered a national hero — not for anything this unassuming truck driver has done, but because of who he represents: the Overseas Filipino Worker, known as an OFW in local parlance. About 7.5 million Filipinos work abroad, amounting to roughly 10 per cent of the country's burgeoning population. The OFWs send home remittances of more than $10 billion a year, making them mythical figures for their families living in impoverished rural villages across the archipelago."

Point of interest: After the agreement, De la Cruz, still in captivity, noted that he was no longer in the orange jumpsuit that has become a key feature in the iconography of hostage videos.
[CNN]
[Short section of the original hostage video: CBS—RealPlayer]

Filipino Hostage Freed: July 20, 2004
Angelo de la Cruz is released on July 20. AP photo on the right shows his wife watching his release on TV.
[CNN]

All Things Considered: "Iraq Propaganda, from All Sides": July 12, 2004

Philip Reeves reports from Baghdad on insurgent propaganda. At the center of the report is commentary from Michael Ware of TIME on the tape, presumably from Zarquawi, handed over to him on July 4, 2004. The Iraq street is awash in inexpensive, roughly produced CDs and DVD's meant to rally support for the insurgency. For example, "God's Soldiers"—selling for fifty cents—shows American troops bursting into Iraqi homes, pictures from Abu Ghraib, and insurgents on the attack. They're crude, but effective.

However, the tape given to Michael Ware is professional in its production, virtually of broadcast quality. Ware says the tape shows the best view yet of insurgent operations. Unlike the DVD's aimed at Iraqi citizenry, Ware believes that this tape speaks directly to a global audience, intended to recruit both men and money to the cause. Ware narrates the tape as it plays in the background. Of his role as the middleman: "As journalists, we're always being used. But the quest is to find the truth."
[All Things Considered—RealAudio]

[Home Video of Middle Eastern Children Enacting A Beheading As Play: Late June, 2004]

This video was posted on a Middle Eastern site and subsequently circulated in the West where it received mainstream news commentary.
[Link to Video—Windows Media Player. Via: Northeast Intelligence Network]

US contractor Paul Johnson, Jr. Beaheaded: Highly graphic photos circulate on the web: June 18, 2004

Paul Johnson, Jr., a US citizen working for Lockheed Martin in Saudi Arabia, was taken hostage and executed a few days later.
[CNN: "Al Qaeda Militants Kill American Hostage"]
[Disturbing, graphic images showing the body and severed head of Paul Johnson are published at the Drudge Report.]

Pittsburgh Tribune-Riview Publishes Three Photos of Executed Paul Johnson: June 22, 2004
"So why publish it? Because the statement with its photos - issued so casually, like some bland press release - demonstrate compellingly the brutality, the inhumanity, and the deadly danger of the enemy we face. Words alone could not fully convey the cold-blooded savagery of this graphic declaration, with its gloating tone and its threat of more such acts. Americans must know without doubt, without flinching, without averted eyes, that threat's gravity and inhumanity. [...] The photos published in Saturday's edition should offend and horrify you."
[Frank Craig: "Why Publish Images of Death?"]

CBS News Footage of Paul Johnson
Emotionally difficult excerpts, but no graphic violence:
[CBS News]

Video of Paul Johnson, Jr.'s Beheading Posted On Islamic Sites: July 18, 2004
Video is posted on at least one U.S.-based site as well.
[Bloomberg]

South Korean Kim Sun-Il Beheaded: June 22, 2004

[Washington Post]

"Police assume either the Iraqi armed group distributed the tapes to the site or the site purchased them from other Muslim sites, considering the site put out an ad seeking videotapes of Kim Sun-il’s beheading since June 22. The videotapes contain a scene showing a masked man beheading Kim after declaring “Allah is great.” Netizens who saw the tapes showed strong emotional responses, saying, “It was too cruel and I couldn’t help myself from bursting out into tears. [...] Many netizens are holding a campaign not to watch the videotape at all. Opinions such as: “Please, let’s not watch the videotape even though it may be just us Koreans who don’t watch it. It is the same as allowing Kim Sun-il to be killed twice. Imagine how painful it would be if his family and friends watch it. Let’s not watch it and delete it even when it is in your hand,” have been posted on most Korean internet portal sites. Kim Ho-ki, Professor of Sociology at Yonsei University, pleaded with the government, citizens’ groups, and netizens to control unnecessary expressions of emotion and impulsive behavior, saying, “I am concerned that the videotape may provoke sentiment against Iraq and intensify the dispute on the army dispatch.”"
[Donga]
[Ogrish.com]

South Korean hostage Kim Sun-il is beheaded by captors who forward video of the event to Al-Jazeera television for broadcast: June 22, 2004
[Washington Post]

Video of Kim Sun-il Pleading for His Life
An hysterical Kim Sun-il pleads for his life. No violent images in this clip, but deeply disturbing.
[CBS News]