Group claims responsibilities for Basra kidnappings

A previously unknown Islamic terrorist group has claimed responsibility for abducting a group of four Americans and an Austrian in southern Iraq.Iranian-run Al-Alam television posted a report on its Web site today saying the group, called Islamic Companies, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. The network said the group released a videotaped message saying that it was holding the five men. A photo issued with the report is of an unidentified man whose face was covered with traditional Arabic head dress reading the statement. He demanded the withdrawal of American forces and the release of all prisoners in Iraq.