Tuesday, July 11 2006 14:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: An Al Qaeda-linked group claimed it killed three US soldiers last month and mutilated two of their bodies to avenge the rape and murder of an Iraqi woman by troops of the same unit, according to a video posted on the Internet. "Here is a film on the remains of the bodies of the two American soldiers kidnapped near Yussufiyah (southwest of Baghdad). We are showing it to avenge our sister who was raped by a soldier belonging to the same division as these two soldiers," said the Mujahedeen Shura Council in a statement. "When guerrillas learned of the rape, they swore to avenge their sister," the council said. "Praise Allah, they captured two soldiers from the same division as this vile crusader. Here are the remains to rejoice the hearts of the faithful," it lauded. A young Iraqi woman was raped and murdered along with three other members of her family on March 12 near Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad. Five US soldiers have been charged in the alleged rape-murder and the killing of her parents and a younger sister. A US soldier, Steven Green, stationed nearby at the time, was charged with rape and murder on July 3. Green, who has left the army, pleaded not guilty last week before a court in Louisville, Kentucky. The Mujahedeen Shura Council is an umbrella organisation of several Islamic extremist groups.