Al-Qaeda is claiming that it has two US Marines being held hostage and that they will be executed within 24 hours unless female Sunni Muslim prisoners are released.

Reuters

"Al Qaeda soldiers succeeded in kidnapping two Marines ... and Al Qaeda is giving the infidels 24 hours to release female Sunni Muslim prisoners ... or they (Western forces) should not bother to look for their children," the statement said on a Web site generally used by the group.

A spokesman for U.S. forces in Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Boylan, said: "I have not heard anything about any of our folks being taken. I would suspect that these are unfounded rumors, as that is what has happened in the past."

In February, 2005 al-Qaeda tried to pass off a GI Joe doll (seen at right) as a hostage. So I'm not sure how legitimate this claim is. I could claim I have Miss Piggy held hostage, but without proof it's all just words.

Tipped by: Wizbang who has a humorous picture.

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