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New US strikes in Iraq after IS Foley video | New US strikes in Iraq after IS Foley video |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US aircraft have launched fresh strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, despite threats from the group to kill a second American captive. | |
US Navy fighters and drones provided air cover for Kurdish and Iraqi forces battling IS near the city of Mosul. | |
On Tuesday IS released a video showing the beheading of journalist James Foley. In it, the militants threatened to kill another American reporter. | |
The US attorney general says a criminal investigation will look into his death. | |
In the UK, police and security services are trying to identify the jihadist who appeared in footage of Mr Foley's killing. | |
Unconfirmed reports suggest the man - who has an English accent - is from London or south-east England. | |
Vital dam | |
In its video of Mr Foley, IS said it was killing him in revenge for US air strikes. | |
Since the video was released, American forces have conducted 14 new strikes near the strategically important Mosul dam, a key facility recaptured from IS militants earlier this week. | |
The raids provided air cover as Kurdish and Iraqi government forces pushed into the hills south-west of the site, Kurdish sources said. US officials said they had successfully destroyed vehicles and other targets belonging to IS. | |
The US has been carrying out strikes against IS - which has been seizing large parts of Syria and Iraq - since 8 August. | The US has been carrying out strikes against IS - which has been seizing large parts of Syria and Iraq - since 8 August. |
Failed rescue | Failed rescue |
On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called Mr Foley's killing "an act of violence that shocks the conscience of the entire world". | |
Also on Wednesday, the Pentagon said the US had "attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria". | Also on Wednesday, the Pentagon said the US had "attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria". |
It said the operation had "involved air and ground components". | |
"Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location." | "Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location." |
It was the first time the US government had acknowledged that its forces had operated in Syria since the country's civil war began in 2011. | It was the first time the US government had acknowledged that its forces had operated in Syria since the country's civil war began in 2011. |
The New York Times newspaper quoted unnamed US officials as saying the raid occurred at an oil refinery in the north. | The New York Times newspaper quoted unnamed US officials as saying the raid occurred at an oil refinery in the north. |
Foreign fighters in IS | Foreign fighters in IS |
There are estimated to be about 3,000 citizens from Western countries currently fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria, the Royal United Service Institute (Rusi) in London says. | |
According to Rusi, the majority are believed to be from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and the Nordic nations. | According to Rusi, the majority are believed to be from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and the Nordic nations. |
The UK government says up to 400 British nationals are fighting alongside militant groups. | The UK government says up to 400 British nationals are fighting alongside militant groups. |
But these jihadists are said to be far outnumbered by volunteers from Arab nations such as Tunisia, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. | But these jihadists are said to be far outnumbered by volunteers from Arab nations such as Tunisia, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. |
A June 2014 report from the New York-based consultancy the Soufan Group suggested people from at least 81 different countries had become involved, including citizens from Australia, the US, Canada, Ireland, and Spain. | A June 2014 report from the New York-based consultancy the Soufan Group suggested people from at least 81 different countries had become involved, including citizens from Australia, the US, Canada, Ireland, and Spain. |
Sources: Rusi, Soufan Group, BBC Analysis and Research | Sources: Rusi, Soufan Group, BBC Analysis and Research |
Europe: All change on Iraq | Europe: All change on Iraq |
The statement did not specify whether the operation had intended to rescue Mr Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria in November 2012. | |
However, senior US officials - speaking on condition of anonymity - confirmed this. They added that the troops had killed several IS militants. | However, senior US officials - speaking on condition of anonymity - confirmed this. They added that the troops had killed several IS militants. |
Mr Foley, 40, had reported across the Middle East, working for US publication GlobalPost and other media outlets. | |
'Warning to Obama' | 'Warning to Obama' |
In the IS video, entitled A Message to America, a man identified as James Foley is dressed in an orange jumpsuit, kneeling in desert-like terrain beside an armed man dressed in black. | |
He gives a message to his family and links his imminent death to the US bombing campaign in Iraq. | He gives a message to his family and links his imminent death to the US bombing campaign in Iraq. |
Clearly under duress, he says: "I call on my friends, family and loved ones to rise up against my real killers, the US government, for what will happen to me is only a result of their complacency and criminality." | Clearly under duress, he says: "I call on my friends, family and loved ones to rise up against my real killers, the US government, for what will happen to me is only a result of their complacency and criminality." |
Then the masked militant delivers a warning to the US president: "Any attempt by you, Obama, to deny the Muslims their rights of living in safety under the Islamic caliphate will result in the bloodshed of your people." | |
After he speaks, the militant appears to start cutting at his captive's neck before the video fades to black. | After he speaks, the militant appears to start cutting at his captive's neck before the video fades to black. |
Another captive, identified as American journalist Steven Sotloff, is shown at the end, with the warning that his fate depends on President Obama's next move. | Another captive, identified as American journalist Steven Sotloff, is shown at the end, with the warning that his fate depends on President Obama's next move. |
Mr Sotloff was abducted in northern Syria a year ago. | Mr Sotloff was abducted in northern Syria a year ago. |
Who are Islamic State (IS)? | Who are Islamic State (IS)? |
Islamic State activities as of 14 August | Islamic State activities as of 14 August |
Are you in Syria or the wider region? If you have any information you wish to share with BBC News, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "James Foley". | Are you in Syria or the wider region? If you have any information you wish to share with BBC News, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "James Foley". |