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'Jihadi John': US air strike targets Islamic State militant in Syria 'Jihadi John': US air strike targets Islamic State militant in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
US forces have carried out a drone strike in Syria against the Islamic State group militant "Jihadi John".US forces have carried out a drone strike in Syria against the Islamic State group militant "Jihadi John".
A US military source said there was a "high degree of certainty" he had been killed in Thursday's attack near Raqqa. A US military source said there was a "high degree of certainty" he had been killed in Thursday's attack in Raqqa.
PM David Cameron said although it was not yet certain whether the strike had been successful, targeting Mohammed Emwazi was "the right thing to do".PM David Cameron said although it was not yet certain whether the strike had been successful, targeting Mohammed Emwazi was "the right thing to do".
The Kuwaiti-born British militant appeared in videos of the beheadings of Western hostages.The Kuwaiti-born British militant appeared in videos of the beheadings of Western hostages.
It is believed there was one other person in the vehicle targeted in the strike.It is believed there was one other person in the vehicle targeted in the strike.
Who is Mohammed Emwazi?Who is Mohammed Emwazi?
'Jihadi John' movement mapped'Jihadi John' movement mapped
Emwazi 'claimed harassment'Emwazi 'claimed harassment'
Speaking outside Downing Street, Mr Cameron said any successful attack would have been "a strike at the heart of Isil [Islamic State]". Speaking outside Downing Street, Mr Cameron said the UK had been working with the United States "literally around the clock" to track Emwazi down.
He said any successful attack would have been "a strike at the heart of Isil [Islamic State]".
"It will demonstrate to those that would do Britain, our people and allies harm we have a long reach, we have unwavering determination and we never forget about our citizens," he said."It will demonstrate to those that would do Britain, our people and allies harm we have a long reach, we have unwavering determination and we never forget about our citizens," he said.
He described Emwazi as an "ongoing and serious threat" to civilians around the world, particularly in Syria and the UK.He described Emwazi as an "ongoing and serious threat" to civilians around the world, particularly in Syria and the UK.
"He was Isil's lead executioner and let us not forget he killed many, many Muslims too, and he was intent on murdering many more people."He was Isil's lead executioner and let us not forget he killed many, many Muslims too, and he was intent on murdering many more people.
"So this was an act of self-defence.""So this was an act of self-defence."
The prime minister added that his thoughts were with the families of those "who were so brutally murdered".The prime minister added that his thoughts were with the families of those "who were so brutally murdered".
A senior US military source says the strike involved two MQ9 Reaper drones and took place at 20:50 GMT.A senior US military source says the strike involved two MQ9 Reaper drones and took place at 20:50 GMT.
A formal statement from the Pentagon stopped short of asserting that Emwazi had definitely been killed, adding that it was assessing the operation.A formal statement from the Pentagon stopped short of asserting that Emwazi had definitely been killed, adding that it was assessing the operation.
AnalysisAnalysis
by Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondentby Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent
As the militant who sadistically murdered Western aid workers and journalists on camera, Mohammed Emwazi became a top target for US and British intelligence agencies, even though he is thought to have played no military role within Islamic State.As the militant who sadistically murdered Western aid workers and journalists on camera, Mohammed Emwazi became a top target for US and British intelligence agencies, even though he is thought to have played no military role within Islamic State.
After his identity was revealed in February, Emwazi largely stayed out of sight, taking particular care not to leave a digital trail to his whereabouts.After his identity was revealed in February, Emwazi largely stayed out of sight, taking particular care not to leave a digital trail to his whereabouts.
But GCHQ, the UK government's communications headquarters, has expended enormous efforts to intercept and decipher any encrypted messages that might reveal his location or those of his associates.But GCHQ, the UK government's communications headquarters, has expended enormous efforts to intercept and decipher any encrypted messages that might reveal his location or those of his associates.
Emwazi is believed to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and later joined IS militants.Emwazi is believed to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and later joined IS militants.
He first appeared in a video in August last year, when footage was posted online showing the murder of US journalist James Foley.He first appeared in a video in August last year, when footage was posted online showing the murder of US journalist James Foley.
He was later pictured in the videos of the beheadings of US journalist Steven Sotloff, British aid worker David Haines and UK taxi driver Alan Henning, as well as American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, also known as Peter, and Japanese journalist Kenji Goto.He was later pictured in the videos of the beheadings of US journalist Steven Sotloff, British aid worker David Haines and UK taxi driver Alan Henning, as well as American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, also known as Peter, and Japanese journalist Kenji Goto.
He was also seen apparently killing a Syrian soldier during a mass beheading of Syrian troops.He was also seen apparently killing a Syrian soldier during a mass beheading of Syrian troops.
In each of the videos, the militant appeared dressed in a black robe with a black balaclava covering his face.In each of the videos, the militant appeared dressed in a black robe with a black balaclava covering his face.
Initially dubbed "Jihadi John" by the media, he was subsequently named as Emwazi, from west London, in February.Initially dubbed "Jihadi John" by the media, he was subsequently named as Emwazi, from west London, in February.
Mohammed EmwaziMohammed Emwazi
Source: Cage, London-based campaign groupSource: Cage, London-based campaign group
Earlier this year, details emerged about how Emwazi made a number of journeys abroad before he left for Syria in 2013. The BBC's Washington correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said US agencies would now speak to intelligence sources on the ground and listen to emails, phone calls and messages to "see what the chatter is".
They included a trip to Tanzania in August 2009, when he is believed to have first became known to security services in the UK. He said the US had claimed to have killed militants in the past who turned out to be alive.
His naming this year led to a row over the cause of his radicalisation, with British advocacy group Cage suggesting that contact with MI5 may have contributed to it. "But I think the speed with which they came out with this announcement, and you saw David Cameron also throwing his weight behind that and talking about Britain having worked hand in glove with the US on this, suggests they are reasonably certain they did get Jihadi John," he added.
However, Downing Street said that suggestion was "completely reprehensible", with Mr Cameron defending the UK's security services. David Haines's daughter Bethany said in a statement that she felt an "instant sense of relief" upon hearing reports of Emwazi's possible death, "knowing he wouldn't appear in anymore horrific videos".
She added: "He was only a pawn in Isis's stupid game, but knowing it's over, that he's finally dead, still hasn't sunk in.
"As much as I wanted him dead I also wanted answers as to why he did it, why my dad, how did it make a difference."
The Henning family were informed on Thursday night by a government contact that the strike had taken place, the BBC understands.
Stuart Henning, Mr Henning's nephew, wrote on Twitter that he had "mixed feelings" about the airstrike.
He wrote: "Mixed feelings today wanted the coward behind the mask to suffer the way Alan and his friends did but also glad it's been destroyed."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it appeared Emwazi had been "held to account for his callous and brutal crimes".
"However, it would have been far better for us all if he had been held to account in a court of law."
Civil war erupted in Syria four years ago, and now President Bashar al-Assad's government, IS, an array of Syrian rebels and Kurdish fighters all hold territory. Millions have been displaced and more than 250,000 people killed as a result of the fighting.Civil war erupted in Syria four years ago, and now President Bashar al-Assad's government, IS, an array of Syrian rebels and Kurdish fighters all hold territory. Millions have been displaced and more than 250,000 people killed as a result of the fighting.
IS aims to establish a caliphate over the entire Muslim world, a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia. It already hold control of swathes of land in Syria and Iraq.IS aims to establish a caliphate over the entire Muslim world, a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia. It already hold control of swathes of land in Syria and Iraq.
The militant group said it was behind twin suicide bombings in the Lebanese capital Beirut that killed at least 41 people on Thursday.
Kurdish forces have meanwhile entered the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar captured by IS last year, while the Iraqi army says it has begun an offensive to retake the key western city of Ramadi.
At least 700 people from the UK have travelled to support or fight for jihadist organisations in Syria and Iraq, British police say.At least 700 people from the UK have travelled to support or fight for jihadist organisations in Syria and Iraq, British police say.
Mohammed Emwazi's movements before heading to SyriaMohammed Emwazi's movements before heading to Syria
Source: CageSource: Cage