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Islamic State video scrutinised by UK security services | Islamic State video scrutinised by UK security services |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The UK's security and intelligence agencies are examining a video by so-called Islamic State, to identify a man and young boy with British accents. | |
The video purportedly shows the killing of five men who IS says were spying for the UK. | The video purportedly shows the killing of five men who IS says were spying for the UK. |
The authorities will also be carrying out voice-print analysis to match what is heard against individuals known to have travelled to Iraq and Syria | The authorities will also be carrying out voice-print analysis to match what is heard against individuals known to have travelled to Iraq and Syria |
The man threatens attacks in the UK, during the 10-minute film. | The man threatens attacks in the UK, during the 10-minute film. |
He also says the footage, which has not been independently verified, is a message for Prime Minister David Cameron. | He also says the footage, which has not been independently verified, is a message for Prime Minister David Cameron. |
After the apparent killings the young boy, who seems to be aged about six or seven years old and is wearing military-style clothing, is seen pointing into the distance and talking about killing "unbelievers". | After the apparent killings the young boy, who seems to be aged about six or seven years old and is wearing military-style clothing, is seen pointing into the distance and talking about killing "unbelievers". |
IS has repeatedly used children in its propaganda videos. | IS has repeatedly used children in its propaganda videos. |
In the new video, the masked jihadi militant, who is holding a gun, mocks Mr Cameron for daring to "challenge the might" of the extremist group before he makes a threat to British people to "invade your land". | In the new video, the masked jihadi militant, who is holding a gun, mocks Mr Cameron for daring to "challenge the might" of the extremist group before he makes a threat to British people to "invade your land". |
The five men, wearing jumpsuits, are seen purportedly being shot in the back of the head in a desert location, after making what is claimed to be their confessions. | The five men, wearing jumpsuits, are seen purportedly being shot in the back of the head in a desert location, after making what is claimed to be their confessions. |
One of the men says he had been asked to provide information about the location of IS militants, including two Britons, apparently to help target them with air strikes. | One of the men says he had been asked to provide information about the location of IS militants, including two Britons, apparently to help target them with air strikes. |
Some of the five men say that they are from Raqqa in Syria while another says he is from Benghazi, Libya, but none say they are from the UK. | Some of the five men say that they are from Raqqa in Syria while another says he is from Benghazi, Libya, but none say they are from the UK. |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Gordon Corera, BBC security correspondent | By Gordon Corera, BBC security correspondent |
It is less than two months since British IS propagandist Mohammed Emwazi, the man known as Jihadi John, was killed by a drone strike in Syria. | It is less than two months since British IS propagandist Mohammed Emwazi, the man known as Jihadi John, was killed by a drone strike in Syria. |
This latest video by IS seems to show another man trying to take up his mantle. | This latest video by IS seems to show another man trying to take up his mantle. |
The identity of the masked man is so far unknown but authorities will be trying to identify him and confirm if he is British. | The identity of the masked man is so far unknown but authorities will be trying to identify him and confirm if he is British. |
Emwazi was killed after intelligence - most likely from informers - located him in a vehicle in Raqqa, Syria. | Emwazi was killed after intelligence - most likely from informers - located him in a vehicle in Raqqa, Syria. |
The fact that this latest video shows the killing of alleged spies indicates the extent to which IS is trying to track down those who might be providing information. | The fact that this latest video shows the killing of alleged spies indicates the extent to which IS is trying to track down those who might be providing information. |
Children also regularly feature in IS propaganda videos and the brief appearance of a child - apparently with a British accent - at the end of the video will also most likely be of interest to the authorities. | Children also regularly feature in IS propaganda videos and the brief appearance of a child - apparently with a British accent - at the end of the video will also most likely be of interest to the authorities. |
BBC World Service Middle East editor Alan Johnston says the executed men appear to be "speaking under the most extraordinary duress" and "may be entirely innocent". | BBC World Service Middle East editor Alan Johnston says the executed men appear to be "speaking under the most extraordinary duress" and "may be entirely innocent". |
He also says the release of the video comes in the aftermath of a "major military setback for IS" after it recently lost control of much of the Iraqi city of Ramadi. | He also says the release of the video comes in the aftermath of a "major military setback for IS" after it recently lost control of much of the Iraqi city of Ramadi. |
He adds: "It's possible this is aimed at distracting attention from that defeat - an effort to shock watching Westerners and shift their focus." | He adds: "It's possible this is aimed at distracting attention from that defeat - an effort to shock watching Westerners and shift their focus." |
Following the death of Mohammed Emwazi, the Briton who became known as Jihadi John, this new video shows "something of a replacement" for him, says our correspondent. | Following the death of Mohammed Emwazi, the Briton who became known as Jihadi John, this new video shows "something of a replacement" for him, says our correspondent. |
"That masked militant becomes the new masked face of the Islamic State, at least for British viewers," he says. | "That masked militant becomes the new masked face of the Islamic State, at least for British viewers," he says. |
Jonathan Russell, head of policy at the Quilliam Foundation think tank, said it was "shocking" to hear British voices and to see a child in the video, but that both were being used "to reinforce the IS brand". | Jonathan Russell, head of policy at the Quilliam Foundation think tank, said it was "shocking" to hear British voices and to see a child in the video, but that both were being used "to reinforce the IS brand". |
He also said such actions were "projecting falsehoods" and did not "offer anything to potential recruits here in the West". | He also said such actions were "projecting falsehoods" and did not "offer anything to potential recruits here in the West". |