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| Isis US hostage death: Militants claim female American aid worker has been killed by Jordanian air strikes | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Isis militants claim that an American aid worker they had been holding as a hostage for 18 months has been killed in an air strike by Jordanian planes. | Isis militants claim that an American aid worker they had been holding as a hostage for 18 months has been killed in an air strike by Jordanian planes. |
| In a message posted on social media by the militants, Isis claimed the 26-year-old woman died when Jordanian planes struck targets close to Raqqa, the de facto capital of Isis-controlled territory. | In a message posted on social media by the militants, Isis claimed the 26-year-old woman died when Jordanian planes struck targets close to Raqqa, the de facto capital of Isis-controlled territory. |
| The message was published by the SITE Intelligence Group, which track extremists activity. | The message was published by the SITE Intelligence Group, which track extremists activity. |
| "The failed Jordanian aircraft killed an American female hostage," said the message, according to the New York Times. "No mujahid was injured in the bombardment, and all praise is due to Allah." Mujahid means fighter. | "The failed Jordanian aircraft killed an American female hostage," said the message, according to the New York Times. "No mujahid was injured in the bombardment, and all praise is due to Allah." Mujahid means fighter. |
| There was no independent confirmation of the claim. CNN said on Friday morning that various US agencies were aware of the report and were trying to obtain further information. The Jordanian interior minister told the channel that the militants claim was a "PR stunt". | There was no independent confirmation of the claim. CNN said on Friday morning that various US agencies were aware of the report and were trying to obtain further information. The Jordanian interior minister told the channel that the militants claim was a "PR stunt". |
| Marie Harf, a spokeswoman for the US Department of State, told reporters in Washington said she could offer no information about the Isis claim but said "obviously people are looking into it". | Marie Harf, a spokeswoman for the US Department of State, told reporters in Washington said she could offer no information about the Isis claim but said "obviously people are looking into it". |
| She said there were a number of American citizens being held hostage around the world, including by Isis. She said Secretary of State John Kerry and others were doing all they could to locate these people and secure their release. "These are very sensitive situations," she said. | She said there were a number of American citizens being held hostage around the world, including by Isis. She said Secretary of State John Kerry and others were doing all they could to locate these people and secure their release. "These are very sensitive situations," she said. |
| Jordan had stepped up its bombing campaign against Isis in the aftermath of the burning alive of a Jordanian pilot, Lt Muath al-Kaseasbeh, whose plane was downed in December while on an operation against militant targets. | Jordan had stepped up its bombing campaign against Isis in the aftermath of the burning alive of a Jordanian pilot, Lt Muath al-Kaseasbeh, whose plane was downed in December while on an operation against militant targets. |
| The family of the American woman has requested that her identify not be released, on the advice of US officials. | The family of the American woman has requested that her identify not be released, on the advice of US officials. |
| It is understood she was seized in August 2013 while working with people and children in Aleppo who had been displaced by the ongoing civil war in Syria. | It is understood she was seized in August 2013 while working with people and children in Aleppo who had been displaced by the ongoing civil war in Syria. |
| Last year, Isis demanded $6m for her release. As part of the deal the group also demanded the release of imprisoned neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui. | Last year, Isis demanded $6m for her release. As part of the deal the group also demanded the release of imprisoned neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui. |
| Last month, President Barack Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, erred when he mentioned the woman's name during a talk show interview. All references to the woman were later deleted. | Last month, President Barack Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, erred when he mentioned the woman's name during a talk show interview. All references to the woman were later deleted. |
| Follow Andrew Buncombe on Twitter: @AndrewBuncombe | Follow Andrew Buncombe on Twitter: @AndrewBuncombe |