March 29, 2024
Islamic State claims to have beheaded second US journalist
A new video attributed to the Islamic State terrorist organization purports to show the beheading of U.S. journalist Steven Sotloff, marking the second such execution in recent weeks by a group that controls parts of Iraq and Syria and has threatened to kill other captives.

The video shows a bound Sotloff being held at knifepoint by a black-clad militant against a desert backdrop that appears similar to the one shown in a video released last month depicting the beheading of American journalist James Foley. The video was obtained by the SITE Intelligence Group, an organization that tracks the online postings of Islamist militant groups.

Sotloff, a freelance journalist, had written for Time magazine, Foreign Policy and other publications. He was believed to have been taken captive shortly after entering Syria in 2013.

His mother recently released a video pleading with the Islamic State for her son’s release.

U.S. officials had no immediate comment on the claim that Sotloff was beheaded. A spokesperson for the family declined to comment Tuesday when reached by a reporter for The Washington Post.

The unidentified militant in the latest video denounces the Obama administration, saying, “I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State.” He cites recent U.S. airstrikes against the group in Iraq, and warns that “just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.”

The militant speaks with a British accent, raising the possibility that the executioner is the same individual who killed Foley. (Source: The Washington Post)
Story Date: September 3, 2014
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