Mosul, Iraq (AINA) -- An Islamic group calling itself "The Battalion of Just Punishment, Jihad Base in Mesopotamia" has sent a letter to churches in Mosul. The letter (shown below and translated by AINA) threatens the Assyrians and asks them to refrain from cooperating with Americans, and not to pursue the establishment of a local (i.e., Assyrian/Christian) police force. The letter refers to Assyrians as "Dhimmi", the Koranic term used to refer to Christians and Jews, and which signifies lesser legal and social status for Christians and Jews.

According to an Assyrian community leader in Mosul, the letter's reference to the establishment of a local Assyrian police force is odd. "I suspect this letter may have actually come from Ansar Al-Islam," he said "because the Kurds don't want us to have our own police force." Ansar Al-Islam is the Kurdish Islamic group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

The issue of an Assyrian police force (AINA, 3-1-2008, 4-15-2008) has come to the forefront in recent months as Assyrian churches have been bombed and priests and bishops have been kidnapped and murdered (report).

The letter states the following:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

"Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you [O Muhammad] till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allah that is the (only) Guidance. And if you [O Muhammad] were to follow their [Jews and Christians] desires after what you have received of Knowledge [i.e. the Quran], then you would have against Allah neither any Wali [protector or guardian] nor any help." Surah 2: 120

Truthful is Allah the Magnificent

Warning to those who try to rob us

We caution and warn anyone who tries to rob us through dealings with the Americans or through the spreading of American forces and/or police to protect the Holy Shrines in the Islamic Republic of Iraq, that these shrines would remain target of the freedom fighters.

We remind the dhimmi people [Jews and Christians] that Iraq is for the noble Iraqis and not for how you are now.

Allah is behind the purpose. And he who warned is excused.

The Battalion of Just Punishment
Jihad Base in Mesopotamia