An Iraqi group holding three Japanese citizens hostage has reportedly said it will release them within hours. Arabic al-Jazeera TV quoted a statement from the kidnappers saying they would free the three after mediation by a Sunni Muslim organisation. The insurgents had previously threatened to burn the journalist and two aid workers alive unless Japan withdrew its forces from Iraq. Japan has refused to withdraw its troops from Iraq despite the threats.
Very strange. Has somebody managed to locate any official news releases relating to the supposed anti-war stance of these Japanese hostages? That an unnegotiated hostage release is happening in the face of Japan’s defiant stance makes zero sense. Anyone else have a read on this? |