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US hostage Peter Kassig's family in video appeal US hostage Peter Kassig's family in video appeal
(35 minutes later)
Parents of US hostage Peter Kassig have appealed to Islamic State militants to "show mercy" and release him. The parents of US hostage Peter Kassig have appealed to Islamic State militants to "show mercy" and release him.
In a video statement, Ed and Paula Kassig said they were proud of their son and the humanitarian aid work he had done. In a video statement, Ed and Paula Kassig said they were proud of their son and the aid work he had done.
It follows the release of a video by the militant group on Friday, which showed the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning. The statement follows the release of a video by the militant group on Friday, which showed the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning.
That video ended with a threat to kill 26-year-old Mr Kassig.That video ended with a threat to kill 26-year-old Mr Kassig.
It was the fourth such video released by the group calling itself Islamic State.It was the fourth such video released by the group calling itself Islamic State.
Previous victims were American reporter James Foley, American-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines.Previous victims were American reporter James Foley, American-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines.
According to his military record, Mr Kassig enlisted in the US Army in 2004, served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, a special operations unit, was deployed to Iraq in 2007, and medically discharged later that year at the rank of private first class. Mr Kassig's parents said he had been working for the relief organisation he founded, Special Emergency Response and Assistance (SERA), when he was captured a year ago on his way to Deir Ezzour in eastern Syria.
His parents said he had been working for the relief organisation he founded, Special Emergency Response and Assistance (SERA), when he was captured a year ago on his way to Deir Ezzour in eastern Syria. Eid appeal
In their appeal, they said: "As Muslims around the world, including our son Abdul-Rahman Kassig, celebrate Eid al-Adha, the faith and sacrifice of Ibrahim, and the mercy of Allah, we appeal to those holding our son to show the same mercy and set him free."In their appeal, they said: "As Muslims around the world, including our son Abdul-Rahman Kassig, celebrate Eid al-Adha, the faith and sacrifice of Ibrahim, and the mercy of Allah, we appeal to those holding our son to show the same mercy and set him free."
It is believed Mr Kassig changed his given name to Abdul-Rahman and converted to Islam while in captivity.It is believed Mr Kassig changed his given name to Abdul-Rahman and converted to Islam while in captivity.
The family has heard from former hostages that his faith has provided him comfort.The family has heard from former hostages that his faith has provided him comfort.
Islamic State militants may hold many more hostages.Islamic State militants may hold many more hostages.
On Friday, the father of John Cantlie, a British photojournalist held by the group, appealed for his release in a video, describing his son as a friend of Syria.On Friday, the father of John Cantlie, a British photojournalist held by the group, appealed for his release in a video, describing his son as a friend of Syria.
The Islamic State group has its roots in al-Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate but was expelled over its brutal tactics and refusal to obey orders to confine its activities to Iraq.The Islamic State group has its roots in al-Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate but was expelled over its brutal tactics and refusal to obey orders to confine its activities to Iraq.
It grew more powerful amid the three-year civil war in Syria, launching a lightning offensive this summer that captured considerable territory in both countries.It grew more powerful amid the three-year civil war in Syria, launching a lightning offensive this summer that captured considerable territory in both countries.