A leading Iraqi insurgent group said on Thursday Hurricane Katrina was an act of God hurting the U.S. war effort, and helping cut helicopter sorties over Baghdad, according to an Internet posting.
"Thanks be to God, this disaster struck areas where a great number of the American soldiers came from and many of their families were killed," said a statement from the Army of Ansar al-Sunna, posted on an Islamist Web site.
"There is a noticeable decrease in the number of helicopters hovering over Baghdad after the American government withdrew many of the airmen," it said.
The statement could not be authenticated, but it was posted on a Web site that often carries messages from al Qaeda and other insurgent groups fighting U.S.-led forces and the American-backed Iraqi government.
The U.S. military has said it was sending home from Iraq and Afghanistan more than 300 Air Force airmen based at an installation in Mississippi battered by Hurricane Katrina to allow them to assist their families.
Also, about 3,000 soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard were being sent home from Iraq earlier than scheduled for use in relief efforts.
Al Qaeda's wing in Iraq has hailed the hurricane deaths in "oppressor" America as the "wrath of God."
Army of Ansar al-Sunna has claimed responsibility for major attacks, including a bombing that killed 14 U.S. Marines in western Iraq last month -- the deadliest strike against American forces since the start of the war in 2003.
"Thanks be to God, this disaster struck areas where a great number of the American soldiers came from and many of their families were killed," said a statement from the Army of Ansar al-Sunna, posted on an Islamist Web site.
"There is a noticeable decrease in the number of helicopters hovering over Baghdad after the American government withdrew many of the airmen," it said.
The statement could not be authenticated, but it was posted on a Web site that often carries messages from al Qaeda and other insurgent groups fighting U.S.-led forces and the American-backed Iraqi government.
The U.S. military has said it was sending home from Iraq and Afghanistan more than 300 Air Force airmen based at an installation in Mississippi battered by Hurricane Katrina to allow them to assist their families.
Also, about 3,000 soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard were being sent home from Iraq earlier than scheduled for use in relief efforts.
Al Qaeda's wing in Iraq has hailed the hurricane deaths in "oppressor" America as the "wrath of God."
Army of Ansar al-Sunna has claimed responsibility for major attacks, including a bombing that killed 14 U.S. Marines in western Iraq last month -- the deadliest strike against American forces since the start of the war in 2003.
