Usd Allah (Lions of God) is an Iraqi Islamist group responsible for the kidnapping of Mohamed Mamdouh Qutb, an Egyptian diplomat, in July 2004. <P><br /><br />Qutb was reportedly targeted due to comments made on television by Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef, that Egypt would offer its "security experience" to the interim Iraqi government.  Usd Allah members apparently misinterpreted the remarks, believing that Egypt was planning to send troops to Iraq.  After four days in captivity, Qutb was released by the group, apparently due to his religious beliefs and strong morals.  After being freed, Qutb reported that the men refused ransom demands, saying that they "didn't do it for the money."  <P><br /><br />In August 2004, South Korean intelligence officials reported that a terrorist group called the Lions of God had formed to target South Koreans living and working in Iraq.  It is unknown whether the officials were referring to Usd Allah, or another group operating under a similar name.  Although a South Korean translator was killed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad group a few months earlier, further attacks on South Koreans by Usd Allah or any other Iraqi group have not occurred.  <P><br /><br />In September of that year, a group calling itself Saraya Asad-Allah al-Ghalib (Brigades of the Victorious Lion of God) kidnapped Fairuz Yamulky, an Iraqi-Canadian who worked for an American company in Iraq.  She was released after 16 days, reportedly after her company agreed to cease its work in the country.  It is possible, but not certain, that the Saraya Asad-Allah al-Ghalib is the same group as Usd Allah. <P><br /><br />The kidnapping of foreigners is extremely common in post-war Iraq.  Oftentimes the motive is simply monetary, but in the case of Usd Allah, the purpose was political.  Beyond an objection to Egyptian troops in Iraq, the group did not elucidate further goals or aims, but from their name and actions, Usd Allah is no doubt a religious group who seeks the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.  <br />