Islamic Army in Iraq
The Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI; Arabic الجيش الإسلامي في العراق, DMG al-Ǧayš al-islāmī fī 'l-ʿIrāq ) is a militant Islamist underground organization that was formed after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 by Americans and coalition troops.
The IAI recruits its members almost exclusively from the ranks of former soldiers of the Iraqi Army . Furthermore, it is only active within Iraq and fights almost exclusively US troops. The group caused a sensation again and again through the publication of videos, including those of " Juba, the sniper " and one in which the first downing of a civilian helicopter in Iraq is documented.
Kidnappings
The Islamic Army in Iraq is responsible for the kidnapping of the following people who were released unharmed:
- of the Iranian consul Fereidoun Jahani
- Georges Malbrunot , 41 (2006), and Christian Chesnot , 37 (2006), French journalists
- Angelo Dela Cruz, Filipino truck driver
The Islamic Army in Iraq is held responsible for executing the following people:
- Enzo Baldoni , Italian journalist, murdered around August 26, 2004
- Ronald Schulz , American electrician, murdered around December 8, 2005.
In addition, the Islamic Army in Iraq has assumed responsibility for various attacks, including that of Ahmad Chalabi , the leader of the Iraqi National Congress .