ISIS’ Jihadi John likely killed in USA drone strike
On Friday, the Pentagon said it is “reasonably certain” an overnight airstrike near Raqqa, Syria, killed its intended target, Mohammed Emwazi.
Speaking from Baghdad over a webcast, Warren said a Reaper drone fired Hellfire missiles at a auto in which Emwazi and another militant were believed to be traveling.
He added that although it could not be confirmed Emwazi had been killed, Britain had been working “hand in glove” with the United States to track down the “barbaric murderer”.
“We had been following this target for a few time”, Warren said, and intelligence indicators gave the USA “great confidence” that the individual targeted in the strike was Jihadi John.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the strike, carried out by drone, was “a combined effort” between US and British forces.
“We are assessing the results of tonight’s operation and will provide additional information as and where appropriate”, Cook said.
“We have a long reach, we have unwavering determination and we never forget about our citizens”, he said, referring to British hostages kidnapped and killed by IS.
“Jihadi John” – who was given the nickname by hostages – began appearing in Islamic State videos in August 2014.
Noting Emwazi’s public status, Warren said the British citizen “wasn’t a major tactical figure, or an operational figure”. The official said that in one communication there was an instruction to “stop talking about this”, which is a good indicator that he was killed in the strike.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said it sends a message to anyone who’s involved with Islamic State: “Your days are numbered and you will be defeated”.
Hailing from an prosperous family in West London, Emwazi, a Briton born in Kuwait, reportedly travelled to Syria round 2012 to joined the IS through the group’s infancy. “If only so much effort had been given to finding and rescuing Jim and the other hostages… they might be alive today”.
He appeared in a series of videos that showed the brutal killings of Foley, fellow journalist Steven Sotloff, aid worker Peter (or Abdul-Rahman) Kassig, and several other ISIS captives.