A purported al-Qaeda statement posted on an Islamist website threatened Europe with a ”bloody war” following the expiry of a July 15 deadline set by Osama bin Laden for European states to pull troops out of Muslim countries.
”Today, we declare a bloody war on you. We will not stop our raids until you return to reason,” said the statement, signed ”Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades — al-Qaeda”.
The authenticity of the statement, published on Thursday on the site www.islamic-minbar.com/forum/, could not be verified.
”After the expiry of the ultimatum by our sheikh Osama bin Laden … and because you have not returned to reason, we declare a violent war on you as well as your people … who, by their silence, support you,” it said.
An audiotaped statement issued on April 15 by the al-Qaeda terror chief gave European governments three months to withdraw their troops from Muslim states.
The ultimatum was later authenticated by the CIA in the United States.
On July 16, the same group threatened Italy with a September 11-style bloodbath if it kept Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in power.
The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades have also claimed responsibility for the March 11 attacks in Madrid and the November 2003 bombings in Istanbul.
Abu Hafs al-Masri headed al-Qaeda military operations until he was killed in the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. — Sapa-AFP