| USA TODAY | - |
The
Islamic State has released video that purports to show the beheading of
a British hostage that appears to be intended as a threat to countries
supporting military action in the Middle East, according to the
Associated Press and other news reports.
Bill Keveney, USA TODAY The video identifies the victim as aid worker David Haines.
The apparent beheading follows two posted in the past month by the Islamic State showing the executions of two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff. It has similar visual characteristics to those videos. In those videos, the insurgent group warned President Obama there would be consequences if the U.S. did not stop airstrikes against it in Iraq.
Haines' apparent killer, who is dressed in black and speaks with a British accent, appears to be the same man who was in the videos showing the beheadings of the two Americans, the AP says.
The 2½-minute video includes what appears to be a threat directed at British Prime Minister David Cameron, news.com.au says. "For being a lapdog, Cameron, you will drag your people into another bloody and unwinnable war," the video warns.
Cameron responded to the video by tweeting: "The murder of David Haines is an act of pure evil. My heart goes out to his family who have shown extraordinary courage and fortitude. ... We will do everything in our power to hunt down these murderers and ensure they face justice, no matter how long it takes."
Haines, 44, a father of two, was captured by Islamic State in Syria in March 2013, according to England's Mirror. Later in the video, the militant threatens another hostage identified as British aid worker Alan Henning.
In the latest beheading video, Haines reads a script that blames the British government for his death, according to The New York Times. He says: "I would like to declare that I hold you, David Cameron, entirely responsible for my execution. You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State. ... Unfortunately, it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament's selfish decisions."
In a televised speech to the nation Wednesday, Obama laid out a four-part plan that includes going after Islamic State in Syria. He said he is prepared to order airstrikes in Syria and send in 475 military advisers.
"I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are," said Obama, who vowed not to send combat troops to the region.
Contributing: Ledy
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