The Islamic State released a new video showing the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning and threatening former U.S. Army Ranger Peter Kassig as the next prisoner to be executed.
According to the Associated Press, the video is similar to the previous beheading clips released by the Islamic State: Henning’s is kneeling beside his British-speaking executioner, who is blaming the British government for joining the US-led coalition against the militants days earlier for Henning’s death.
The video ended showing Kassig, a former American soldier who founded a Lebanon-based non-government organization that provides aid for Syrian refugees, was abducted by militants on October 1, 2013 while on his way to the country ravaged by a three-year civil war.
“Obama, you have started your aerial bombardment of Shams [Syria], which keeps on striking our people, so it is only right that we continue to strike the neck of your people,” the militant in the video said.
Henning was working for Aid4Syria, a Muslim aid organization when he was abducted. Their convoy, which was transporting food, water and medical supplies, was en route to a Syrian hospital when Islamic State fighters stopped them and took Henning.
“The brutal murder of Alan Henning by ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement.
[quote text_size=”small” author=”– UK Prime Minister David Cameron”]
Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need. The fact that he was taken hostage when trying to help others and now murdered demonstrates that there are no limits to the depravity of these… terrorists.
[/quote]
Henning’s brother-in-law Colin Livesey said the British government could have done more to save his life and David Haines, the first British citizen who was killed by militants, The Telegraph reported.
“They could have done more months and months ago. The same with David Haines, the other hostage,” said Livesey. “For a person who went there to give aid and help their kids, for them to do what they did makes no sense. I don’t understand it at all. They are scum. I just hope they get what’s coming to them.”
Henning’s parents, Ed and Paula Kassig, issued a statement through a media relations firm, asking for the world to pray for their son, the Associated Press reported.
“The Kassig family extends our concern for the family of Alan Henning. We have read about his work and his generous character with great respect and admiration,” the statement read. “We ask everyone around the world to pray for the Henning family, for our son, and for the release of all innocent people being held hostage in the Middle East and around the globe.”
