Terrorist Group Threatens Australia with Car Bomb Attacks

Strategic Insights -

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has revealed that a terrorist group, claiming to be al-Qaeda's European branch, has threatened to hit Australia with lines of car bombs in response to the country's involvement in Iraq. The Tawhid Islamic Group, which emerged just last week, has posted online threats targeting Australia, Italy, Bulgaria, and Poland, warning that these countries will become "pools of blood" if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq. Downer has taken the threat seriously, despite the group being previously unknown, and has linked the threat to decisions by Spain and the Philippines to pull out of Iraq.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tawhid Islamic Group, claiming to be al-Qaeda's European branch, has posted online threats targeting Australia, Italy, Bulgaria, and Poland, warning of car bomb attacks if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq.
  • Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has taken the threat seriously, despite the group being previously unknown, and has linked it to decisions by Spain and the Philippines to pull out of Iraq.
  • Downer has blamed the Philippines' decision to pull out of Iraq for the terrorist group's threat, citing the example of six more people being taken hostage in Iraq the day after the Philippines' withdrawal.
  • The Tawhid statement has specifically targeted Australia, saying the country should follow the Philippines and Spain out of Iraq to ensure a "safe life and security".
  • Mr Downer has said the government will continue to assess the security situation in Athens and may request armed guards to protect Australian athletes at the Olympics if deemed necessary.

Statistics:

  • 202 people were killed in the 2002 Bali bombing, which the Tawhid Islamic Group referenced in their threat.
  • The Philippines pulled its peacekeepers from Iraq last week to save the life of a kidnapped Filipino truck driver.
  • 6 more people were taken hostage in Iraq the day after the Philippines' withdrawal, as cited by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, 26 July 2003 - "Foreign Minister Blames Philippines Decision for Terror Threat"
  • The Australian Government (no date provided in the source)