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US Airstrike In Syria May Have Killed Notorious ISIS Terrorist 'Jihadi John'

by Stacey Leasca

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook announced Thursday, a targeted airstrike near the Syrian city of Raqqa may have killed the notorious ISIS terrorist known as "Jihadi John."

"Jihadi John," whose real name is Mohammed Emwazi, became infamous following his beheading of American journalist James Foley in 2014.

As The Washington Post reports, Emwazi is also believed to have played a part in the executions of American journalist Steven Sotloff, American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning and Japanese journalist Kenji Goto.

The Post additionally reports, Western officials have been looking for Emwazi's location for more than a year. Emwazi, who was born in Kuwait, grew up in an upper-class family in London and studied computer programming before joining the terrorist organization.

Authorities are said to be confident Emwazi was killed in the strike. Cook adds in a statement,

We are assessing the results of tonight's operation and will provide additional information as and where appropriate.

Citations: US drone strike targeted 'Jihadi John,' Briton linked to hostage beheadings (The Washington Post)