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08/04/2004
Iraqi rebels threaten to kill Japanese hostages
Rebels have threatened to burn alive three Japanese hostages they are holding if Tokyo does not withdraw its troops from Iraq, the Arabic news service Al Jazeera has reported today.
The Qatar-based television news group broadcast footage today of three bound and blindfolded hostages – two of which are though to be journalists, the third is an aid worker. The group has said that it will kill the hostages within three days if the 550 troops of Japan's Self Defence Force do not leave.
Al Jazeera also broadcasted a statement from the group holding them, Saraya al-Mujahadin, in which the group said that it was "time to retaliate".
A Japanese Cabinet secretary is reported in the Mainichi Daily News as saying that as the country's troops were deployed in a strictly humanitarian capacity, there was no reason to recall them. The Japanese government has launched an investigation through its Baghdad embassy but details were still sketchy, an official said.
The decision to deploy troops to Iraq has been politically and legally controversial in Japan.
The country's pacifist constitution – adopted after defeat in the Second World War – places restrictions on the use of troops in conflict zones.
(gmcg)
The Qatar-based television news group broadcast footage today of three bound and blindfolded hostages – two of which are though to be journalists, the third is an aid worker. The group has said that it will kill the hostages within three days if the 550 troops of Japan's Self Defence Force do not leave.
Al Jazeera also broadcasted a statement from the group holding them, Saraya al-Mujahadin, in which the group said that it was "time to retaliate".
A Japanese Cabinet secretary is reported in the Mainichi Daily News as saying that as the country's troops were deployed in a strictly humanitarian capacity, there was no reason to recall them. The Japanese government has launched an investigation through its Baghdad embassy but details were still sketchy, an official said.
The decision to deploy troops to Iraq has been politically and legally controversial in Japan.
The country's pacifist constitution – adopted after defeat in the Second World War – places restrictions on the use of troops in conflict zones.
(gmcg)
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15 April 2004
Three Japanese hostages released unharmed
The three Japanese nationals, whom Iraqi militants had threatened to burn to death, have been released unharmed, it has been reported today.
Three Japanese hostages released unharmed
The three Japanese nationals, whom Iraqi militants had threatened to burn to death, have been released unharmed, it has been reported today.
22 February 2005
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
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19 March 2004
Nato reinforcements arrive in Kosovo
As the initial deployments of additional KFOR troops arrive in the region, the Nato Council was meeting again today to re-assess the security situation in Kosovo. In an effort to bring the outbreak of ethnic violence under control as quickly as possible, additional troops from the operational and strategic reserve were being deployed.
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01 March 2007
British troops set to leave Bosnia
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03 July 2006
More troops for Afghanistan
More British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, amid increased fighting with Taliban fighters, according to reports.
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More British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, amid increased fighting with Taliban fighters, according to reports.
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