President Saddam Hussein's eldest son has accused Iran of setting up a group of Islamic militants in the Kurdish zone of northern Iraq. Iran did not comment on the claim Saturday.
Uday Hussein said the group, "Jund al-Islam" (Soldiers of Islam), has no connection to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. Uday was speaking to a group of Iraqi journalists on Al-Shabab television, a channel that he runs. The interview was taped on Aug. 14, but broadcast late Friday.
The broadcast appeared to respond to earlier reports in the United States that al-Qaeda fugitives from Afghanistan had found refuge in the group.
"The Iranians have created the so-called Jund al-Islam, which has nothing to do with Islam ... in order to establish a sphere of influence in northern Iraq," the Iraqi leader's son said.
It was the first time that Iraq has accused Iran of backing Jund al-Islam.
Turning to the allegation of al-Qaeda ties, Uday said: "They (Jund al-Islam) do not have any link whatsoever with al-Qaeda, and this is purely an Iranian game aimed at gaining influence in the area." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
