Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


       US: Islamic State Video Showing American's Beheading is Authentic

   by VOA News

   The United States says a video released by Islamic State extremists
   showing the beheading of a second American journalist is authentic.

   National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a
   statement Wednesday that U.S. intelligence agencies analyzed the video
   showing the killing of Steven Sotloff and judged it to be real.

   The extremist Islamic State group released the video Tuesday in which a
   black-masked militant with a British accent addresses President Barack
   Obama, saying Sotloff's death is retaliation for U.S. airstrikes
   against the group in Iraq.

   In a speech earlier Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban
   Ki-moon condemned the beheading and other "brutal killings" of
   civilians by the militants.

   "This is totally unacceptable, such kind of inhuman, brutal crimes,
   which is a crime against humanity. Those perpetrators must be brought
   to justice.  And this is the firm policy of the United Nations," said
   Ban.

   The militant speaking in the video also threatened the life of British
   hostage David Cawthorne Haines.

   British Prime Minister David Cameron called Sotloff's murder
   "disgusting and despicable."

   Islamic State militants beheaded another U.S. journalist last month,
   James Foley, and also posted the gruesome murder on the Internet.

   A Sotloff family spokesman said it is aware of the video and is
   grieving privately.

   After the Foley killing, Sotloff's mother, Shirley, appealed directly
   to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to free her son. She said
   he should not pay the price for U.S. policies in Iraq.

   The United States has been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic
   State in coordination with Iraq's government since early August.

   Sotloff was taken captive in Syria in August 2013, about a year after
   Foley was taken hostage. He worked for Time and Foreign Policy
   magazines.

   Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday the U.S. will continue
   airstrikes to disrupt Islamic State's ability to put U.S. personnel and
   facilities at risk. He said the airstrikes also will support
   humanitarian aid to those persecuted by the extremists.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/islamic-state-beheading-steven-sotlof
   f/2436851.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/islamic-state-beheading-steven-sotloff/2436851.html