Islamic State Purportedly Releases Video Showing Beheading Of American Steven Sotloff
A video released Tuesday claims to show the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State jihadist group, allegedly as retribution for recent U.S. airstrikes in the U.S.
In the video, the 31-year-old journalist reportedly sits in an orange jumpsuit and speaks to the camera before he is beheaded by an Islamic State militant. The executioner explains that the beheading is being done in retribution for the continued U.S. airstrikes in Iraq that have sought to weaken the al Qaeda offshoot's growing power.
"I'm back, Obama, and I'm back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State [...] despite our serious warnings," the fighter says in the video, the authenticity of which has yet to be verified by the U.S.
Sotloff, who previously reported for Time magazine, appeared in another Islamic State video released earlier in August, where Islamic State militants executed American photojournalist James Foley, also as retribution for American airstrikes in Iraq.
At the end of the Sept. 2 video, the Islamic State threatens to execute a third captive, Briton David Cathorne Haines, if the airstrikes do not stop immediately.
Sotloff's mother, Shirley, who lives in Miami, Florida, had released a video plea for her son's release earlier in August, saying that Islam teaching preaches justice for all diversities of people, while also arguing that her son is an innocent journalist who has no control over America's foreign policies.
Although the U.S. government did not confirm the authenticity of Tuesday's video, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the administration's thoughts and prayers were with the Sotloff family.
