RIP, Alan Henning, Hervé Gourdel; Condolences to Three More

[Setember 24] In a sign of the growing influence of the extremist group known as the Islamic State, fighters aligned with the organization beheaded a French tourist in Algeria and released a video on Wednesday documenting the brutal killing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

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In addition, a militant group in the Philippines announced that it was holding European captives: Two Germans whom it threatened to kill unless Germany paid ransom or stopped supporting the American-led campaign against the Islamic State.

  NYT

[October 3] A short video released by ISIS on Friday shows the apparent beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning, with the executioner blaming the death on the United Kingdom for joining the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the group.

Before he is killed, Henning speaks to the camera, referencing the British Parliament's decision to participate in coalition of more than 40 countries who have banded together to go after the so-called Islamic State terror group in Iraq and Syria.

At the end of the video, ISIS shows American aid worker Peter Kassig and threatens his life.

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"The brutal murder of Alan Henning by ISIL shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are," UK Prime Minister David Cameron said, referring to the group also known as ISIL.

  CNN

Yes, because beheadings with a sword are so much more brutal than beheadings with drones.

 Please note my previous post regarding beheadings.

And What Will France Do?

A splinter group that claims links to the militant group Islamic State (Isis) released a video on Monday night of a French tourist abducted on Sunday while on holiday in Algeria. The group has threatened to execute him unless France halts air strikes on Isis positions in Iraq. The French foreign ministry confirmed the authenticity of the video and identified the hostage as 55-year-old Hervé Gourdel.

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“Everything is being done to find our compatriot. All our services are being mobilised to that end, and no theory is ruled out. We are in constant contact with the Algerian authorities, who are cooperating and supporting our inquiry,” said the French foreign ministry.

Hours before the kidnapping, Isis called on its supporters to kill civilians, namely Americans, French, and “their allies”.

Since 2005, about 80 Algerians have been kidnapped in Kabylie by groups demanding a ransom. Most of those who were abducted for extortion were later freed by Algerian security forces.

  Guardian

UPDATE: 9/24 - Gourdel has been beheaded. They didn't give the French much time to respond.