Earlier today, a video was released by an Islamic State affiliated Twitter account, which is now suspended, depicting the beheading of a second American journalist. The video is titled “A Second Message to America,” a sequential title following the film of James Foley’s execution. U.S. defense officials are still working to authenticate the video; however, the deceased is believed to be American journalist Steven Sotloff. Sotloff was captured a year ago near the Syrian-Turkish border and was shown as a captive in the Foley execution video. The syntax, clothing and executioner closely resemble the Foley video. In the new release, the militant is wearing a black veil while standing behind Sotloff, who is dressed in the orange uniform of a prisoner. The militant warns, “I am back Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State.” He also threatens, “As your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike necks of your people.” Additionally, the video is used by the group to issue a threat against a British hostage, David Haines.
MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation closely and has identified the following implications:
The Islamic State has vowed to continue targeting Americans if the U.S. does not end its airstrike campaign on the militant group. The release of this second video highlights how the Islamic State is following through with these threats. The video bears a close resemblance to that of the Foley execution and uses references such as “I am back,” indicating the execution videos were filmed sequentially and intended to be released in a specific order. Intelligence officials believe the videos may have been produced on the same day, but released at different times to garner media attention. However, the exact timing of Sotloff’s death remains under investigation.
Experts believe that the executioner who killed Foley is the same militant featured in the Sotloff video. The individual is believed to be a British national, which further amplifies the threat posed by foreign fighters who have engaged in fighting overseas. There is speculation that the militant is British jihadist Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, also known as “Jihadi John,” but this remains unconfirmed. Jihadi John is believed to be one of the main guards of foreign hostages. The latest threat to target Haines next suggests the group will follow through with his execution, which will likely be posted online as well. The Islamic State is current holding two other American hostages and three Britons, most of which are aid workers.
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