Islamic Group Threatens to Attack Summer Olympics

By Pamela Mortimer

Chinese Islamic group that has been threatening to launch an attack at the Summer Olympics has released a new video Wednesday denouncing the Chinese government’s alleged ill treatment of Muslims. The group claims the mistreatment is sufficient grounds for a holy war.

A report released by the SITE Institute, an American organization that monitors militant communications, stated that a spokesperson from the Turkistan Islamic Party has accused the Chinese government of "forcing Muslims into atheism" and causing destruction to Islamic schools.

The video spokesperson also claims that China’s program on birth control is responsible for forcing Muslim women to have abortions. The representative also reiterated plans for a possible attack during the Olympic Games - a threat originally made in a video released last month. The video also urged Muslims to avoid the activities.

The representative on the video spoke in the Turkic language of the Uighurs, a region in western China consisting mainly of a Muslim population. The region has a long history of discord with the Chinese government.

Security experts believe that the Turkistan Islamic Party is located across the border in Pakistan and that its members have received training from members of Al Qaeda.

In the video released last month, the militant group conveyed threats against the Olympic Games and took the opportunity to claim responsibility for a number of bus bombings across China. The most recent video, which appears to have been filmed on August 1st, displays graphics similar to earlier videos. These include "a burning Olympics logo and an explosion imposed over one of the venues," said the Washington-based IntelCenter, a second U.S. extremist monitoring group.

IntelCenter’s Ben Venzke said the group wasn’t surprised to see that the Turkistan Islamic Party released another video. IntelCenter also believes that the party will continue to make threats even after the opening ceremonies.

"I think what they're doing is they're trying to capitalize on the buildup to the games," he said.

As one might expect, there will be tight security at the Games, throughout Beijing, and Olympic co-host cities. Authorities have stated that over 100,000 soldiers and police will be on high alert during the Olympics. With such high security, it is expected that the terrorists are more likely to launch an attack in less secure areas.