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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/03/islamic-state-hostage-video-shows-young-boy-and-jihadi-warning-of-attacks
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| Isis hostage clip shows English-speaking boy and jihadi warning of attacks | Isis hostage clip shows English-speaking boy and jihadi warning of attacks |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An English-speaking boy and an extremist have appeared in a new Islamic State propaganda video that shows the murder of five hostages it claims worked for the British intelligence services. | An English-speaking boy and an extremist have appeared in a new Islamic State propaganda video that shows the murder of five hostages it claims worked for the British intelligence services. |
| The 11-minute footage, which was released by the Isis media wing, includes a “message for David Cameron”, read by a masked man with a British-sounding accent who threatens attacks in the UK. | |
| Standing behind five kneeling hostages in orange jumpsuits, the unknown extremist repeatedly points a gun at the camera while claiming to be preparing an invasion of Isis fighters in Europe. The video then appears to show the murder of the hostages. | Standing behind five kneeling hostages in orange jumpsuits, the unknown extremist repeatedly points a gun at the camera while claiming to be preparing an invasion of Isis fighters in Europe. The video then appears to show the murder of the hostages. |
| The clip, which has not been independently authenticated, concludes with footage of a young child in military fatigues, who warns in English: “We are going to go kill the kafir [non-believers] over there.” | The clip, which has not been independently authenticated, concludes with footage of a young child in military fatigues, who warns in English: “We are going to go kill the kafir [non-believers] over there.” |
| In what appeared to be a conscious emulation of Isis videos featuring the British extremist known as Jihadi John, the footage shows the suspected killer wearing a balaclava-style mask and directly addressing the prime minister. | |
| Gesticulating in a manner similar to that used by Mohammed Emwazi in previous propaganda footage, the unnamed terrorist also repeatedly waved a gun at the camera. | |
| A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman said the video was “Daesh propaganda”, using another name for the terror group, and refused to comment further. | |
| Charlie Winter, a senior researcher in transcultural conflict at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, said: “Among other things, Isis is trying to seize the initiative again, having taken a major hit with the loss of Ramadi [in Iraq].” | |
| He added that there had been “an uptick in propaganda videos and photo essays” in recent weeks, designed to “divert attention away from big tactical blows like Ramadi”. | |
| “Leaving the executioner unnamed will cause an inevitable scramble, on the media’s part, to figure out who he is, thereby ensuring renewed prominence for Isis in the news,” Winter added. | |
| Regarding the appearance of an English-speaking child, the academic said: “There is sadly nothing strange about it – children are regularly used by Isis to execute alleged spies.” |