This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/13/jihadi-john-definitely-killed-syria-raqqa-dead

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Jihadi John': rights group certain Mohammed Emwazi killed in Raqqa 'Jihadi John' Mohammed Emwazi killed in Raqqa strike, says rights group
(35 minutes later)
The drone strike on the Islamic State extremist known as Jihadi John is believed to have targeted him in the centre of the Syrian city of Raqqa, close to the spot where the group have carried out a string of public executions.The drone strike on the Islamic State extremist known as Jihadi John is believed to have targeted him in the centre of the Syrian city of Raqqa, close to the spot where the group have carried out a string of public executions.
Mohammed Emwazi, a Briton born in Kuwait, almost certainly died in the attack alongside three people who were with him in a car, according to UK-based Syrian rights activists in touch with people in the city. UK-based Syrian rights activists in touch with people in the city said Mohammed Emwazi, a Briton born in Kuwait, certainly died in the attack, alongside three people who were with him in a car.
Related: Cameron: strike on Mohammed Emwazi was 'act of self-defence' – live updatesRelated: Cameron: strike on Mohammed Emwazi was 'act of self-defence' – live updates
“Four young men were in the car, including a British citizen who was a very senior figure,” the Guardian was told by Rami Abdel Rahman, of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. “We are 100% certain that he is dead. People have told us that there were a lot of [body] parts.” “Four young men were in the car, including a British citizen who was a very senior figure,” Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told the Guardian. “We are 100% certain that he is dead. People have told us that there were a lot of [body] parts.”
Although it remains unclear if any others in the area were hit by the explosion, the strike is in a busy part of the city right beside a traffic intersection known as the Clock Roundabout. It is also a stone’s throw from a mosque and building which has been used as an Islamic court and straddles areas that house a nearby public market. Although it remained unclear if any others in the area were hit by the explosion, the strike was in a busy part of the city right beside a traffic intersection known as the clock roundabout. There is also a mosque nearby, a building which has been used as an Islamic court and a public market.
Related: Mohammed Emwazi: the war on Isis is bigger than one man | Shashank JoshiRelated: Mohammed Emwazi: the war on Isis is bigger than one man | Shashank Joshi
Sources in Raqqa added that the strike occurred shortly before midnight local time and that at least 14 explosions were counted in the city. The Pentagon confirmed late on Thursday night that US forces had carried out the strike.Sources in Raqqa added that the strike occurred shortly before midnight local time and that at least 14 explosions were counted in the city. The Pentagon confirmed late on Thursday night that US forces had carried out the strike.
Details of the operation are spare, although though there is a strong possibility that the drone took off from a base across the border in Turkey. The Incirlik air base near the southern city of Adana has been hosting US drones which have been targeting Isis. US drones have also taken off from Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, although they are further away. Details of the operation were sparse, although though there is a strong possibility that the drone took off from a base across the border in Turkey. The Incirlik air base near the southern city of Adana has been hosting US drones which have been targeting Isis. US drones have also taken off from sites further afield in Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
A strong British component is likely to have come in the form of intelligence. As much as 30% of the entire US-led coalition surveillance operation against Isis in Syria is British, according to Britain’s defence secretary, Michael Fallon. David Cameron said on Friday that Britain had been working “hand in glove” round the clock with US to track down Emwazi. Related: Mohammed Emwazi: who were his victims?
The attack falls in to the small category – 10% according to the US military – of air strikes in Syria which are pre-planned. In common with other strikes, the drone is likely to have stayed over the area for a considerable period of time as its controllers assessed the results of the strike. A strong British component in the attack is likely to have been intelligence. As much as 30% of the entire US-led coalition surveillance operation against Isis in Syria is British, according to Britain’s defence secretary, Michael Fallon. David Cameron said on Friday that Britain had been working “hand in glove” around the clock with the US to track down Emwazi.
The attack falls into the small category – 10%, according to the US military – of airstrikes in Syria which are pre-planned. The drone is likely to have stayed over the area for a considerable period of time as its controllers assessed the results of the strike.