Israel's killing of Yassin puts U.S. in line of fire

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Originally published 12:10 a.m., March 23, 2004, updated 12:00 a.m., March 23, 2004

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Arab rage at Israel's assassination of the Hamas founder quickly spilled into Iraq yesterday, signaling that the killing of the Palestinian militant could undermine U.S. policies and interests across the region.

Protesters at two demonstrations against the U.S.-led coalition -- one in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the other in the southern city of Basra -- chanted in support of Sheik Ahmed Yassin.

"Do not worry, Palestine. Iraq will avenge the assassination of Sheik Yassin," protesters in Mosul chanted.

Israeli and U.S. officials stressed that Washington had not been told about the assassination plan. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called the killing "deeply troubling."

But the close political and military ties between the two countries -- many Arab press outlets said U.S.-made missile launchers apparently had been used in the attack -- almost certainly will make Americans a target for revenge.

Hamas officials yesterday for the first time directly threatened the United States and suggested that they may seek allies to retaliate against it and Israel. In the past, the group had not specifically targeted U.S. assets.

"The Zionists didn't carry out their operation without getting the consent of the terrorist American administration and [the United States] must take responsibility for this crime," Hamas said in a statement. "All the Muslims of the world will be honored to join in on the retaliation for this crime."

Mr. Boucher said the threats "just show once again that [Hamas] is a terrorist group and that they're bent on violence and on terrorism."

In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak responded by canceling plans to send a delegation to ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of the Camp David accords, the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation.

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