Jihad Watch reader Ray has pointed out to me an interesting congruence.
Was this the call?
“Islamist Websites Monitor No. 2: Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir: American Military Bases are an Ideal Environment for Trying Out Biological and Dirty Bombs,” from MEMRI:
On September 28, 2006, Islamist websites posted an audio recording by commander of Al-Qaeda in Iraq Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir, which included a number of messages. Addressing the Muslim ‘ulama, Abu Hamza called on them to join the jihad, and to follow the example of the blind Sheikh ‘Ali ‘Abd Al-Rahman, who is currently imprisoned in the U.S. Abu Hamza also urged the jihad fighters to make a special effort to capture Westerners in order to exchange them for the imprisoned sheikh. Next, he congratulated the tribal chiefs who supported the cause of jihad in Iraq, and invited those who had sided with the Americans to publicly declare their repentance and join the forces of jihad. His final call was to scientists and experts in various technological fields, whom he invited to try out their biological weapons and dirty bombs on American military bases.
The following are excerpts from the recording:
[…]
“…On the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of jihad and martyrdom, I pray to Allah that [this Ramadan] shall be a month of glory, power and victory for all Muslims.
[…]
“I call upon every free jihad-fighter in Iraq to make special efforts during this holy month of Ramadan. Perhaps Allah will grant us [the privilege of] capturing some Byzantine [i.e. Christian] dogs, whom we can [use] to release our teacher from the darkness of prison, out of our recognition, loyalty and love [for him].”
[…]
“My final message is [addressed] to those who have special skills and qualifications amongst the experts in [the fields of] chemistry, physics, management, electronics, communications and all the advanced specialties, particularly nuclear scientists and [experts] on explosives. I say [to them]: we have urgent need of you. The front of jihad will suit your aspirations. The American military bases, with their large areas, are an ideal environment for trying out your non-conventional bombs: the biological [bombs] and the so-called ‘dirty’ bombs…“
And was this the response to that call?
“Hundreds of Iraqi police poisoned, officials say,” from AP:
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Hundreds of Iraqi policemen fell sick from poisoning Sunday at a base in southern Iraq after the evening meal breaking their daily Ramadan fast, and officials said they were investigating whether the poisoning was intentional.
An official with the Environment Ministry said 11 policemen had died. However, the governor of Wasit province — where the poisoning took place — denied any deaths, though he said some of the victims were in critical condition. There was no immediate explanation for the contradictory reports.
Some of the policemen began bleeding from the ears and nose after the meal, said Jassim al-Atwan, an inspector for the Environment Ministry, who was serving as a liaison in the investigation between the Health Ministry and the base, located in the town of Numaniyah.
“Hundreds of soldiers were poisoned after taking food and water in the iftar,” Wasit Gov. Hamad al-Latif told the Associated Press, referring to the meal that breaks the sunrise-to-sunset fast during the Islamic holy month. “Investigations are under way to determine the cause.”
Samples of the food and water were being tested “to determine the substance in them” and will be sent to Baghdad for further tests, al-Latif said.