by Benson Agoha | War on Terror
Brutal butcher, Mohammed Emwazi, also known as `Jihadi John' has been killed by US air strikes in Syria, ITV reported Friday morning.
* Handsome Evil: Mohammed Emwazi a.k.a Jihadi John |
The target attack also killed two other wanted terrorists who were with Emwazi, according to the reports.
Jihadi John shot into the limelight when he heartlessly severed the heads of captives, many of who were aid workers delivering supplies to displaced people of the war ton country. Initially, the beheadings were done live on video and posted on Youtude.
Following public outcry subsequent beheading were carried out and the video edited before they shared, online.
He became top priority on the wanted persons list. Later, reports had it that he had gone into hiding, running away from the people he served after fearing that he was of no more use to them and might be treated like the numerous victims of the rampaging Islamic State.
For some time, not much has been heard of the terror butcher as other developments in Syria, including the involvement of Russia, and the US nuclear peace deal took the limelight in the region.
* Jihadi John gave new meaning to knife use. |
Initial reports was that of uncertainty, but it was subsequently confirmed that the Briton, whose parents have since returned to their native country Kuwait, was among the dead.
The air strike was carried out in Raqqa, where Emwazi had holed up after going into hiding. And although his death has not been confirmed, an ITV report said there was a "high degree of certainty", he was hit, and killed.
According to a report credited to Rami Abdulrahman, director of the UK-based observatory, "A car carrying four foreign Islamic State leaders, including one British Jihadi was hit by U.S. air strikes right after the governorate building in Raqqa city."
He said "All the sources there are saying that the body of an important British Jihadi is lying in the hospital of Raqqa" and that "All the sources are saying it is of Jihadi John but I cannot confirm it personally."
If the above reports were hazy, Fox News reports say authorities believe they 99% sure Mohammed Emwazi was killed in the drone attack.
Fox News reported that a "senior U.S. defense official told Fox News that a drone was used in the airstrike. According to a senior military source, the drone had been tracking Emwazi for most of the day Thursday while he met with other people. The source said the strike took place shortly after Emwazi came out of a building in Raqqa, when he was "ID'd and engaged" adding "we are 99 percent sure we got him."
If the above reports were hazy, Fox News reports say authorities believe they 99% sure Mohammed Emwazi was killed in the drone attack.
Fox News reported that a "senior U.S. defense official told Fox News that a drone was used in the airstrike. According to a senior military source, the drone had been tracking Emwazi for most of the day Thursday while he met with other people. The source said the strike took place shortly after Emwazi came out of a building in Raqqa, when he was "ID'd and engaged" adding "we are 99 percent sure we got him."
A formal statement from PM David Cameron is expected to shed more light on the situation.
(* With reports from ITV and Fox News)
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