Aussie Taken Hostage in Iraq

With no specific details on how it came about, an Austrailian man who lives in California has been kidnapped. After viewing a video ostensibly posted by the Shura Council of the Mujahedden of Iraq, the wife of 63-year-old civilian contract engineer Douglas Wood confirmed his identity as the hostage.


Mr. Wood is heard on the tape to say,

"President Bush, Prime Minister Howard, Governor Schwarzenegger ... take the troops out of here and let Iraq look after itself."

The little-known Shura Council of the Mujaheddan released a statement indicating that the abduction was timed to coincide with Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill's visit to Iraq.

Oddly, the kidnappers think Gov. Schwarzenegger is at least partially responsible for American troops being in Iraq, which makes no sense. However, without being specific, Prime Minister Howard stated that the government will do everything possible to secure the release of Mr. Wood. He did reiterate the Australian position of not giving in to hostage takers.

The abductors are described on the tape by Wood as "patriotic" which would tend to indicate a home-grown group as opposed to Al Qaeda, which is manned primarily by foreigners. Another report says that the Shura Council of the Mujaheddan has "previously claimed responsibility for attacks on US soldiers and Iraqi forces and another kidnapping." I don't recall hearing of the group before. The Jawa Report has a video link.

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[Update] Added video link.