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Isis beheading videos are aimed at testing the west's resolve Isis beheading videos are aimed at testing the west's resolve
(7 months later)
The formula has been identical: three condemned men discussing their imminent deaths with unnerving composure.The formula has been identical: three condemned men discussing their imminent deaths with unnerving composure.
In the beheading videos that have horrified Britain and the US, James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines have calmly stuck to their scripts, while their killer stands waiting behind them.In the beheading videos that have horrified Britain and the US, James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines have calmly stuck to their scripts, while their killer stands waiting behind them.
All three men have appeared to display a quiet acceptance of their fate, leading to speculation that they either did not realise what awaited them or, that after a long and desperate confinement, any release was preferable to remaining in the hands of their tormentors.All three men have appeared to display a quiet acceptance of their fate, leading to speculation that they either did not realise what awaited them or, that after a long and desperate confinement, any release was preferable to remaining in the hands of their tormentors.
In the month since Foley became the first western hostage killed by the Islamic State (Isis) terrorist group, details of the brutality he and other captives endured have seeped out from the dungeons that held them. Mock killings were common, as was torture. Foley received worse treatment than most. Former hostages have spoken publicly of the group's repeated attempts to break them, through starvation, beatings, isolation and fear.In the month since Foley became the first western hostage killed by the Islamic State (Isis) terrorist group, details of the brutality he and other captives endured have seeped out from the dungeons that held them. Mock killings were common, as was torture. Foley received worse treatment than most. Former hostages have spoken publicly of the group's repeated attempts to break them, through starvation, beatings, isolation and fear.
Intelligence officials who have studied the videos believe the killers carefully crafted the men's submission as an essential part of their message: "Resistance is futile, we're more powerful than any of you – that's what they want to say," said one security official. "Resolve will wither sooner or later."Intelligence officials who have studied the videos believe the killers carefully crafted the men's submission as an essential part of their message: "Resistance is futile, we're more powerful than any of you – that's what they want to say," said one security official. "Resolve will wither sooner or later."
Other officials believe that the killings were not carried out in the manner depicted. "I suspect what is shown is for shock value," said a senior diplomat, who, like all other officials, refused to put his name to his view. "It seems to me that each of those poor men had been used to mock executions. They had been forced to do this sort of thing before. This is how depraved this group is."Other officials believe that the killings were not carried out in the manner depicted. "I suspect what is shown is for shock value," said a senior diplomat, who, like all other officials, refused to put his name to his view. "It seems to me that each of those poor men had been used to mock executions. They had been forced to do this sort of thing before. This is how depraved this group is."
Some officials believe the murders took place some time after the videos faded to black and may not have been carried out by the black-clad British jihadi, dubbed "Jihadi John", who has appeared in all productions.Some officials believe the murders took place some time after the videos faded to black and may not have been carried out by the black-clad British jihadi, dubbed "Jihadi John", who has appeared in all productions.
Barak Barfi, a spokesman for the Sotloff family, who spent much of the past year trying to gather information on the photographer's case, as well as the whereabouts of other US hostages, said former captives had spoke of ruthless kidnappers who used intimidation and fear to wear down their victims.Barak Barfi, a spokesman for the Sotloff family, who spent much of the past year trying to gather information on the photographer's case, as well as the whereabouts of other US hostages, said former captives had spoke of ruthless kidnappers who used intimidation and fear to wear down their victims.
"If it was me, I would just accept my fate and want the nightmare to end," he said. "That is how I felt when I was bombed by fighter jets outside of Aleppo in 2012. I wasn't as scared of dying; it was the uncertainty that paralysed me.""If it was me, I would just accept my fate and want the nightmare to end," he said. "That is how I felt when I was bombed by fighter jets outside of Aleppo in 2012. I wasn't as scared of dying; it was the uncertainty that paralysed me."
Of the three murdered men, he said: "These people have suffered unspeakable horrors as they watched others go free. It has been almost three months since there has been any movement in these prisons. We knew they feel abandoned from the messages they conveyed to us."Of the three murdered men, he said: "These people have suffered unspeakable horrors as they watched others go free. It has been almost three months since there has been any movement in these prisons. We knew they feel abandoned from the messages they conveyed to us."
From the limited public comments of the former hostages, there is little to suggest that the captors struck any sort of bond with their subjects. John, who holds a knife to the throat of handcuffed victims in all three videos, was well known to the group, which at times during the past year grew to more than 30.From the limited public comments of the former hostages, there is little to suggest that the captors struck any sort of bond with their subjects. John, who holds a knife to the throat of handcuffed victims in all three videos, was well known to the group, which at times during the past year grew to more than 30.
There are thought to be about 10 western hostages in and around the Isis-held city of Raqqa, including former Manchester taxi driver Alan Henning, 47, who was captured in December after joining an aid convoy delivering medical supplies to Idlib in northern Syria. At least three more Arab journalists are also being held, along with several dozen Syrians, who, according to the accounts of released captives, are subjected to routine torture.There are thought to be about 10 western hostages in and around the Isis-held city of Raqqa, including former Manchester taxi driver Alan Henning, 47, who was captured in December after joining an aid convoy delivering medical supplies to Idlib in northern Syria. At least three more Arab journalists are also being held, along with several dozen Syrians, who, according to the accounts of released captives, are subjected to routine torture.
Among the foreigners that make up the ranks of Isis in Raqqa are a group responsible for putting together the slickly produced videos recording the deaths in high-definition films that break new ground in modern terrorism.Among the foreigners that make up the ranks of Isis in Raqqa are a group responsible for putting together the slickly produced videos recording the deaths in high-definition films that break new ground in modern terrorism.
The scenes have been filmed with at least two digital cameras and edited before being uploaded to the internet using software that disguises the origin of the computer being used.The scenes have been filmed with at least two digital cameras and edited before being uploaded to the internet using software that disguises the origin of the computer being used.
Why Isis has made such an effort to showcase its deeds remains a contested issue within the intelligence community, and among the jihadis themselves.Why Isis has made such an effort to showcase its deeds remains a contested issue within the intelligence community, and among the jihadis themselves.
Some officials believe the images are an attempt to warn off its enemies, particularly the US military, which in the past two months has stopped the group's advances towards Irbil in northern Iraq and is increasingly likely to launch strikes inside Syria, including Raqqa.Some officials believe the images are an attempt to warn off its enemies, particularly the US military, which in the past two months has stopped the group's advances towards Irbil in northern Iraq and is increasingly likely to launch strikes inside Syria, including Raqqa.
Others believe that the messages of submission are designed to draw the US into a war, which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Isis leader, sees as an end-of-times clash with a pre-ordained foe.Others believe that the messages of submission are designed to draw the US into a war, which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Isis leader, sees as an end-of-times clash with a pre-ordained foe.
"We'll soon know who is miscalculating," said the senior diplomat. "These videos have made a difference, so Baghdadi has been right on that.""We'll soon know who is miscalculating," said the senior diplomat. "These videos have made a difference, so Baghdadi has been right on that."
So, too, have the US strikes inside Iraq, a point acknowledged by John when he blamed David Cameron's pledge to supply weapons to the Kurdish peshmerga as a reason to kill British hostages. The masked jihadi with a London accent spoke of attacks on the Haditha dam, Iraq's most important waterway, which was threatened by Isis last week before air strikes stopped its advance. His reference to the attacks confirmed that Haines was murdered within the past week.So, too, have the US strikes inside Iraq, a point acknowledged by John when he blamed David Cameron's pledge to supply weapons to the Kurdish peshmerga as a reason to kill British hostages. The masked jihadi with a London accent spoke of attacks on the Haditha dam, Iraq's most important waterway, which was threatened by Isis last week before air strikes stopped its advance. His reference to the attacks confirmed that Haines was murdered within the past week.
In remarks reported on Sunday by the New York Times, the US president, Barack Obama, acknowledged that the gruesome videos had galvanised public support for renewed military action in the Middle East, something he had tried to avoid for six years. He also said he believed Isis had miscalculated by producing such images, and had not anticipated the US response to come. In remarks reported on Sunday by the New York Times, the US president, Barack Obama, acknowledged that the gruesome videos had galvanised public support for renewed military action in the Middle East, something he had tried to avoid for six years. He also said he believed Isis had miscalculated by producing such images, and had not anticipated the US response to come.