Islamic State claims to have executed US journalist Steven Sotloff

[flamingdem]

Source: Chicago Sun Times

BEIRUT (AP) — Internet video purports to show beheading of US reporter Steven Sotloff by Islamic State group.

This has been a breaking news update. Check back for more information soon.

UPDATE:

Reuters Top News @Reuters · 9s
White House says cannot confirm authenticity of video purported to show beheading of U.S. hostage Sotloff by Islamic State

Read more: https://www.suntimes.com/news/world/29640658-418/islamic-state-claims-to-have-executed-us-journalist-steven-sotloff.html#.VAX6-mRdX41

---

via Reuters:

Reuters Top News @Reuters · 1m
Islamic State video issues threat against British hostage it names as David Haines: SITE


Reuters Top News @Reuters · 4m
Video warns governments to back off "this evil alliance of America against the Islamic State": SITE

[Bosonic]

1. Steven Sotloff 'beheaded by Islamic State'

Steven Sotloff 'beheaded by Islamic State'

American hostage Steven Sotloff has reportedly been executed by jihadist terrorists. There was no immediate confirmation of the video.

Sotloff, 31, disappeared while reporting in Syria in August 2013. His apparent kidnap was not widely reported until he appeared on a video released last month by the Isil.

In the footage a masked militant beheads US reporter James Foley then parades Mr Sotloff, warning he will meet the same fate unless US President Barack Obama ends air strikes against the group in Iraq.

More to follow.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11071159/Steven-Sotloff-beheaded-by-Islamic-State.html

[flamingdem]

2. They seem to do this when under pressure

as they are in Tikrit and were in Amerli this past week - and the Singar Mountains bombing that lead to the death of James Foley.

I believe that Isis in an email asked Sotloff's mother to make a public plea for his life. Does anyone remember that news bit? If true, and it's a story that seems to have been buried, then it's pure propaganda and they do not negotiate or react to any appeal.

[morningfog]

3. It is for recruitement and fits their radical narrative.

When the US is bombing them and the area, these killing videos are posted as a response and a rally cry to those who are already radicalized or who are becoming radicalized.

[flamingdem]

5. Especially when they are losing

Iraq is not going so well for them but they are doing very well in Syria. Reports that they're about to take over another airport.

The narrative has to be all wins though to get the recruits down there.

[morningfog]

6. The narrative has to be "US is a threat to you."

Not wins. Recruitment is stronger if the people feel the US is a threat.

[flamingdem]

7. I see what you mean. Plus the cache of going up against the USA

great recruiting for them with this.

[karynnj]

8. It may also be a warning of their brutality (as if anything were needed) to the Sunni

tribes that helped them by joining them or just not fighting them. In Iraq, one hope was that the Sunnis could switch back to the government's side.

Given that Obama has signaled that the US and other country's are developing strategy to - at minimum - stop their threats, this is a sickening, predictable thing totally in their power to do.

If this ends up being true, this is heartbreaking for this family.

[morningfog]

9. And is discourages western media from getting near.

Incredibly sad for his family.

[former9thward]

17. Let's hope it discourages them.

No media, no beheadings.

[Purveyor]

4. CNN International is now reporting this. eom

[flamingdem]

10. URGENT: ISIS evacuates its Mosul headquarters in fear of American air strikes

* They're under pressure here too

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/urgent-isis-evacuates-mosul-headquarters-fear-american-air-strikes/

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) On Tuesday, an informed source in Nineveh Province said that the organization of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria evacuated its headquarters in the city of Mosul in fear of being targeted by American airstrikes.

The source said in an interview for IraqiNews.com that “the elements of the organization ISIS evacuated their headquarters in the city of Mosul, in anticipation of being targeted by the American planes.”

The source, who asked not to be named, said “the organization has also painted its cars with camouflage to prevent detection by these planes.”

On Monday, according to a local source in Nineveh province, American planes dropped leaflets calling for the people of Mosul to stay away from the headquarters and gatherings of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in preparation for the its bombardment.

Related link:

URGENT: American planes drop leaflets warning Mosul residents to stay away from ISIS headquarters before bombing

[PoutrageFatigue]

11. Evil bastards...

[leftynyc]

12. Repulsive barbarians

My thoughts are with his family.

[840high]

13. Barbarians.

[Bosonic]

14. Hmmmm

Unconfirmed reports of a #US operation on the Syria-Turkey border. Blackhawks with Navy Seals heading into Syria. Source on ground.

https://twitter.com/rConflictNews/status/506866397042204674

Although not an official news agency twitter source, "rConflictNews" is legit as far as I have observed (spun off from Reddit)

[karynnj]

18. Even assuming the this is a completely good source, I am troubled by this

real time account.

What if the US was attempting a second rescue mission of the journalists still held - and this alerted ISIS? There is a very tricky trade off between the light that journalists can bring and the need for secrecy sometimes.

[Bosonic]

19. The tweet was apparently relaying/reporting on what was on Turkish/Syria media

So the cat was already fully out of the bag and walking around.

But I'm assuming all of this is moot though, as no more has been heard so it appears to be a big false positive.

[flamingdem]

20. The only sense this would make is another rescue operation

Maybe of the remaining hostages in Raqqa.

Seems like their biggest problem in Syria is getting intel.

Some brave soul will have to join Isis undercover for that.

[karynnj]

21. I had assumed from the post that "on the ground" may have been a

first hand observation - making it both more credible and more likely to be a first public notice of it.

(I should have looked at the time of the tweet or even your post to realize that it was likely false.)

I commented because I really did see a dilemma between informing people on what was being done and that sometimes things which most here would see as good need secrecy to succeed.

[CTyankee]

15. that poor family

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/09/02/isis-releases-video-purportedly-showing-american-journalist-steven-sotloff-beheading/20955911/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D523704

I hope this moves Europe to join forces with us and eradicate ISIS. I can only hope...

[hamsterjill]

16. My heart goes out to this man's family!

My prayers (as that is my practice) for peace and comfort for them. I can't begin to imagine the horror and pain that something like this would cause the loved ones of the victim.