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Siege of Iraqi Embassy in Berlin by unknown anti-Hussein group ends

German commandos ended a five-hour Siege of the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin by a previously unknown group that is opposed to Saddam Hussein.

No shots were fired as two senior diplomats, bound and barricaded inside by five armed men, were freed.

Investigators said they had no information about the Democratic Iraqi Opposition of Germany, which claimed responsibility, other than it appeared to be newly formed. Iraqi officials as well as dissident groups abroad said they had never heard of it.

The five men, mostly in their 30s, were armed with a loaded pistol, two tear-gas guns, a hatchet and an electroshock wand as they forced their way into the embassy at 2:25 p.m. Aug. 20.

They took four hostages, including the charge d'affaires and his successor, and barricaded themselves inside.

Two embassy employees were released almost immediately — a woman who suffered eye irritation when the captors used tear gas and a man who went into shock.

Alerted by neighbors who said they heard two gunshots, police responded with nearly 300 officers.

A statement by the group, written in German, indicated they wanted Hussein out of power.

"We are taking over the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin and thereby take the first step toward the liberation of our beloved fatherland. Our action is peaceful and limited in time. Our path is the liberation of Baghdad."

The embassy seizure comes at a time when Germany is expressing opposition to U.S.-led military action to remove Hussein

Shukan ST: Aug. 30, 2002

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National News Siege of Iraqi Embassy in Berlin by unknown anti-Hussein group ends German commandos ended a five-hour Siege of the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin by a previously unknown group that is opposed to Saddam Hussein. No shots were fired as two senior diplomats, bound and barricaded inside by five armed men, were freed. Investigators said they had no information about the Democratic Iraqi Opposition of Germany, which claimed responsibility, other than it appeared to be newly formed. Iraqi officials as well as dissident groups abroad said they had never heard of it. The five men, mostly in their 30s, were armed with a loaded pistol, two tear-gas guns, a hatchet and an electroshock wand as they forced their way into the embassy at 2:25 p.m. Aug. 20. They took four hostages, including the charge d'affaires and his successor, and barricaded themselves inside. Two embassy employees were released almost immediately — a woman who suffered eye irritation when the captors used tear gas and a man who went into shock. Alerted by neighbors who said they heard two gunshots, police responded with nearly 300 officers. A statement by the group, written in German, indicated they wanted Hussein out of power. "We are taking over the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin and thereby take the first step toward the liberation of our beloved fatherland. Our action is peaceful and limited in time. Our path is the liberation of Baghdad." The embassy seizure comes at a time when Germany is expressing opposition to U.S.-led military action to remove Hussein Shukan ST: Aug. 30, 2002 (C) All rights reserved