Baghdad: The Iraqi Information Minister, reading a statement he said was from Saddam
Hussein, on April 1 called for a jihad, or holy war, against the US-led invasion of
Iraq.
"The aggression that the aggressors are carrying out against the stronghold of faith
is an aggression on the religion, the wealth, the honour and the soul and an
aggression on the land of Islam," Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf said
on national television.
"Therefore, jihad is a duty in confronting them," he added, saying, "Those who are
martyred will be rewarded in heaven. Seize the opportunity, my
brothers."
The statement was issued as US forces were reported within 80 km of Baghdad and as B-
52 bombers were pounding Republican Guard positions North of Karbala.
Saddam has delivered two televised addresses since the war began on March 20. It was
unclear why the Iraqi leader did not appear on April 1.
"Strike at them, fight them," the statement said. "They are aggressors, evil,
accursed by God. You shall be victorious and they shall be vanquished."
"Fight them everywhere the way you are fighting them today," it said. "And don't
give them a chance to catch their breath until they withdraw from the lands of the
Muslims, defeated and cursed in this life and the afterlife."
