The Global Islamic Media Front Issues Caliphate Voice Channel Video, Threatening Governments of Germany and Austria Over Role in Afghanistan

(The Site Institute) The Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF), in collaboration with the al-Firdaws Network, issued to jihadist forums a 6:09 video through the Caliphate Voice Channel today, March 10, 2007, calling upon the governments of Germany and Austria to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan and cease support for the
U.S. and NATO. The video, which is in Arabic and contains German subtitles, opens with the flags of both nations over a backdrop of flames before showing photographs of German and Austrian politicians and a mock newsroom in which a masked insurgent reports from behind a desk. Emphasizing that the war in Afghanistan should only be between mujahideen and the U.S., the group warns
Germany, “you motivate the mujahideen to carry out operations in your land . . . with your assistance and limitless support for American, terrorist cells are motivated to attack you.” The opening message, repeated throughout the video, reads “Wise people do not destroy their security by their own hands.” As for Austria, the GIMF warns: “
Austria was, and is still, one of the safest countries in the world. Its people know no threats, and its economy is rosy, because every year, it make much money from the summer and winter tourists . . . Decide quickly, and remove your soldiers, because this is not your war.” The group highlights as “lies” espoused by the German and Austrian governments the idea that German forces are in Afghanistan to assist with reconstruction or that
Austria’s support for NATO somehow represents “neutrality.” The video includes footage of a speech by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, produced previously by as-Sahab, al-Qaeda’s multimedia production arm. In the past, the GIMF has issued German-language versions of its Caliphate Voice Channel, “Voice of the Caliphate” programs, as well as statements from terrorist leaders such as Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and Abu Hamza al-Muhajir.