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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
(35 minutes later)
US forces have carried out an air strike targeting the Islamic State group militant known as "Jihadi John", the Pentagon has said. US forces have carried out an air strike targeting the Islamic State group militant "Jihadi John", the Pentagon has said.
Mohammed Emwazi, the Kuwaiti-born British militant, was the target of an attack near Raqqa, in Syria. There is a "high degree of certainty" that he was hit in the attack near Raqqa, in Syria, according to a senior military source.
A worldwide hunt had been launched for Emwazi after he was seen in videos of the beheadings of Western hostages. Mohammed Emwazi, the Kuwaiti-born British militant, appeared in videos of the beheadings of Western hostages.
The Pentagon said it was still assessing whether Emwazi had been killed in the attack on Thursday. It is believed there was at least one other person in the vehicle targeted.
A US official told the BBC the strike had been on a vehicle believed to be carrying Emwazi, whom the official said had been "tracked carefully over a period of time." A US official told the BBC Emwazi had been "tracked carefully over a period of time".
Who is Mohammed Emwazi?
'Jihadi John' movement mapped
Emwazi 'claimed harassment'
The Associated Press news agency reported a US official saying that a drone had been used in the attack.The Associated Press news agency reported a US official saying that a drone had been used in the attack.
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said: "We are assessing the results of tonight's operation and will provide additional information as and where appropriate."Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said: "We are assessing the results of tonight's operation and will provide additional information as and where appropriate."
A spokeswoman for the UK prime minister said: "We are aware of the US statement about the air strike targeting Mohammed Emwazi. Like them, we are not commenting further at this stage."A spokeswoman for the UK prime minister said: "We are aware of the US statement about the air strike targeting Mohammed Emwazi. Like them, we are not commenting further at this stage."
Hostage videosHostage videos
Emwazi is believed to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and later joined so-called Islamic State militants.Emwazi is believed to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and later joined so-called Islamic State 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.
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", he was subsequently named as Emwazi, from west London, in February.Initially dubbed "Jihadi John", 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
Who is Mohammed Emwazi?
'Jihadi John' movement mapped
Emwazi 'claimed harassment'
Earlier this year details emerged about how Emwazi made a number of journeys abroad before he left for Syria in 2013.Earlier this year details emerged about how Emwazi made a number of journeys abroad before he left for Syria in 2013.
They included a trip to Tanzania in August 2009, when he is believed to have first became known to security services in the UK.They included a trip to Tanzania in August 2009, when he is believed to have first became known to security services in the UK.
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.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.
However, Downing Street said that suggestion was "completely reprehensible", with Prime Minister David Cameron defending the UK's security services.However, Downing Street said that suggestion was "completely reprehensible", with Prime Minister David Cameron defending the UK's security services.
Mohammed Emwazi's movements before heading to SyriaMohammed Emwazi's movements before heading to Syria
Source: CageSource: Cage