Monday, January 3 2005 21:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: The Islamic Army in Iraq, one of the main armed groups fighting US forces in the war-torn country, threatened to carry out attacks inside the United States in 2005, in a statement posted on a website today (Jan 3, 2005).

This year "will bring woes on America. The mujahedeen (holy warriors) have prepared big surprises for your sons outside America and a big surprise for you inside America," said the statement whose authenticity could not be confirmed.

The mujahedeen "will take the battle from inside our country (Iraq) to yours," the statement said.

The shadowy Sunni Muslim group has claimed a number of attacks and killings of hostages in Iraq, including an Italian journalist and two Pakistanis.

But last month it freed two French journalists held hostage in Iraq for four months.