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{{Short description|Kuwaiti-British militant and ISIS executioner (1988–2015)}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Jihadi John | name = Mohammed Emwazi
| image = Jihadi John.jpg{{!}}border | image = Jihadi John.jpg{{!}}border
| caption = Emwazi wearing a mask in a video of a killing
| alt =
| birth_name = Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan ]
| caption = Emwazi wearing a mask in a video of a killing
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1988|08|17}}<ref
| birth_name = Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri
name=skyadu>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1435642/first-photo-of-jihadi-john-as-adult-revealed|title=First Photo of 'Jihadi John' As Adult Revealed|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012065041/http://news.sky.com/story/first-photo-of-jihadi-john-as-adult-revealed-10369736|archive-date=12 October 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1988|08|17}}<ref
name=skyadu>{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1435642/first-photo-of-jihadi-john-as-adult-revealed |title=First Photo Of 'Jihadi John' As Adult Revealed |publisher=] |date=27 February 2015}}</ref> | birth_place = ], ]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31700907|title=Mother recognised Mohammed Emwazi's voice on hostage videos |publisher=BBC|date=2 March 2015}}</ref>
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|11|12|1988|08|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150304235409/http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/jihadi-john-born-stateless-family-kuwait-29323835 |title='Jihadi John' Born into Stateless Family in Kuwait |publisher=] |date=2 March 2015}}</ref>
| death_place = ], ]
| death_date = {{death date|df=yes|2015|11|12}} (aged 27)
| death_place = ], ] | death_cause = ]
| other_names = "Mohammed Emwazi"<ref name=indnot>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/jihadi-john-why-do-we-give-criminals-nicknames-10081199.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/jihadi-john-why-do-we-give-criminals-nicknames-10081199.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='Jihadi John': Why do we give notorious criminals nicknames?|work=]|date=2 March 2015}}</ref><br>"John the Beatle"<ref>{{cite book |chapter=John the Beatle and the Syrian Civil War |title=Road Warriors: Foreign Fighters in the Armies of Jihad |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |first=Daniel |last=Byman |year=2019 |pages=164–203 }}</ref><br>"Jailer John"<ref name=timhun>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article4182624.ece|title=The hunt for British jihadist 'Jailer John'|work=]|date=21 August 2014}}</ref><br>Abu Abdullah al-Britani<ref name=inddoz>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/dozens-of-jihadis-in-fighting-in-syria-using-the-name-albritani-10076635.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/dozens-of-jihadis-in-fighting-in-syria-using-the-name-albritani-10076635.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Dozens of jihadis in fighting in Syria using the name 'al-Britani'|work=The Independent|date=27 February 2015}}</ref><br>Abu Muharib al-Yemeni<ref name=itvhat>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2015-02-26/jihadi-john-a-quiet-man-who-hated-britain-and-was-always-ready-for-war|title=Jihadi John: A quiet man who hated Britain and was 'always ready for war'|work=]|date=25 February 2015}}</ref><br>Mohammed al-Ayan<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02/26/mohammed-emwazi_n_6759714.html|title=Mohammed Emwazi Revealed As Jihad John: What We Know About Islamic State's Most Wanted Man|work=] |date=2 March 2015}}</ref><br>Muhammad ibn Muazzam<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mohammed-emwazi-man-identified-as-isis-killer-jihadi-john-was-stopped-by-mi5-while-on-safari-holiday-in-africa-in-2010-10071972.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mohammed-emwazi-man-identified-as-isis-killer-jihadi-john-was-stopped-by-mi5-while-on-safari-holiday-in-africa-in-2010-10071972.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Mohammed Emwazi: Man identified as Isis killer 'Jihadi John' 'stopped by MI5' while on safari holiday in Africa in 2010|work=The Independent|date=26 February 2015}}</ref><br>Mohammed Al-Zuhary<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/02/the-moment-jihadi-john-may-have-become-a-terrorist|title=The moment Jihadi John may have become a terrorist|newspaper=]|date=2 March 2015}}</ref><br>Abu Muharib al-Muhajir<ref name="cnn_obituary" />
| death_cause = Killed by ]
| citizenship = British<ref name=gualov /> Jihadi John<ref name="indnot" />
| citizenship = ]<!-- Not a Kuwaiti citizen see Early life section --><ref name="Bryan" />
| education = BSc (]) in Information Systems with Business Management from the ] (2009)<ref name=skykin>{{cite web |url= http://news.sky.com/story/1434923/jihadi-john-used-to-be-kind-and-gentle |title='Jihadi John' Used To Be 'Kind And Gentle' |publisher=Sky News |date=27 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11441124/Jihadi-John-Student-record-of-Mohammed-Emwazi-leaked.html |title=Jihadi John: Student record of Mohammed Emwazi leaked |work=] |date=27 February 2015}}</ref>
| education = BSc (]) in Information Systems with Business Management from the ] (2009)<ref name=skykin>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1434923/jihadi-john-used-to-be-kind-and-gentle|title='Jihadi John' Used To Be 'Kind And Gentle'|publisher=Sky News|date=27 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11441124/Jihadi-John-Student-record-of-Mohammed-Emwazi-leaked.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11441124/Jihadi-John-Student-record-of-Mohammed-Emwazi-leaked.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jihadi John: Student record of Mohammed Emwazi leaked|work=]|date=27 February 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| other_names = "Jihadi John"<ref name=indnot>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/jihadi-john-why-do-we-give-criminals-nicknames-10081199.html |title='Jihadi John': Why do we give notorious criminals nicknames? |work=] |date=2 March 2015}}</ref><br>"John the Beatle"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nypost.com/2014/08/22/hunt-for-jihadist-who-killed-james-foley-intensifies/ |title=British doctor could lead to jihadist 'John the Beatle |work =] |date=22 August 2014}}</ref><br>"Jailer John"<ref name=timhun>{{cite news |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article4182624.ece |title=The hunt for British jihadist 'Jailer John' |work=] |date=21 August 2014}}</ref><br>Abu Abdullah al-Britani<ref name=inddoz>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/dozens-of-jihadis-in-fighting-in-syria-using-the-name-albritani-10076635.html |title=Dozens of jihadis in fighting in Syria using the name 'al-Britani' |work=The Independent |date=27 February 2015}}</ref><br>Abu Muharib al-Yemeni<ref name=itvhat>{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/2015-02-26/jihadi-john-a-quiet-man-who-hated-britain-and-was-always-ready-for-war/ |title=Jihadi John: A quiet man who hated Britain and was 'always ready for war' |work=] |date=25 February 2015}}</ref><br>Mohammed al-Ayan<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02/26/mohammed-emwazi_n_6759714.html |title=Mohammed Emwazi Revealed As Jihad John: What We Know About Islamic State's Most Wanted Man |work=] |date=2 March 2015}}</ref><br>Muhammad ibn Muazzam<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mohammed-emwazi-man-identified-as-isis-killer-jihadi-john-was-stopped-by-mi5-while-on-safari-holiday-in-africa-in-2010-10071972.html |title=Mohammed Emwazi: Man identified as Isis killer 'Jihadi John' 'stopped by MI5' while on safari holiday in Africa in 2010 |work=The Independent |date=26 February 2015}}</ref><br>Mohammed Al-Zuhary<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/02/the-moment-jihadi-john-may-have-become-a-terrorist/ |title=The moment Jihadi John may have become a terrorist |work=] |date=2 March 2015}}</ref>
| criminal_charge = Involvement in multiple ]s | known_for = ]
| module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes
| religion = ]
|allegiance =
|module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes
|allegiance = ],<ref name=itvhat /> then<br>]<ref name=itvhat /> {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg}} ] <small>(2012–13)</small><ref name=itvhat/><br>
{{Flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} ] <small>(2013–15)</small><ref name=itvhat/>
|branch =
|branch =
|serviceyears = 2013–2015 <ref name=guabest>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/01/mohammed-emwazi-best-employee-we-ever-had-former-boss-kuwaiti-it-firm |title='The best employee we ever had': Mohammed Emwazi's former boss in Kuwait |work=The Guardian |date=2 March 2015}}</ref>
|serviceyears = 2012–2015<ref name=guabest>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/01/mohammed-emwazi-best-employee-we-ever-had-former-boss-kuwaiti-it-firm|title='The best employee we ever had': Mohammed Emwazi's former boss in Kuwait|work=The Guardian|date=2 March 2015}}</ref>
|rank = |rank =
|battles = |battles =
Line 30: Line 32:
}} }}
}} }}
'''Mohammed Emwazi''' (born '''Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri''', 17 August 1988 – 12 November 2015) was a Kuwaiti Arab man thought to be the person seen in several videos produced by the ] group ] showing the ]<!--Please use neither execution or murder as both are not NPOV see talk page -->. A group of his hostages nicknamed him "'''Jihadi John'''" since he was part of a four-person terrorist cell with ]s whom they called ].


'''Mohammed Emwazi''' (born '''Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri'''; {{langx|ar|محمد جاسم عبد الكريم عليان الظفيري}};{{lrm}} 17 August 1988&nbsp;– 12 November 2015) was a ] militant of Kuwaiti origin seen in several videos produced by the ] group ] (IS) showing the ]<!--Please use neither execution or murder as both are not NPOV see talk page -->. A group of his hostages nicknamed him "John" since he was part of a four-person ] with ]s whom they called ']'; the press later began calling him "'''Jihadi John'''".<ref name=indnot />
On the night of 12 November 2015, US officials reported that Emwazi had been hit by a ] in ], ], and the following day, UK officials stated a “high degree of certainty” that Emwazi was killed.<ref name="guardian1115">{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/13/us-air-strike-targets-mohammed-emwazi-uk-terrorist-known-as-jihadi-john |title='Jihadi John': high degree of certainty US airstrike killed Mohammed Emwazi, sources say |work=The Guardian |date=13 November 2015}}</ref>

On 12 November 2015, ] officials reported that Emwazi had been hit by a ] in ], ].<ref name="guardian1115">{{cite news |last=Phipps |first=Claire |last2=Wintour |first2=Patrick |author-link2=Patrick Wintour |last3=McCurry |first3=Justin |date=13 November 2015 |title='Jihadi John': high degree of certainty US airstrike killed Mohammed Emwazi, sources say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/13/us-air-strike-targets-mohammed-emwazi-uk-terrorist-known-as-jihadi-john |work=The Guardian}}</ref> His death was confirmed by IS in January 2016.<ref name="cnn_obituary"/>


==Early life== ==Early life==
Emwazi was born Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/spies-were-so-much-on-emwazis-case-they-bought-his-computer/story-fnb64oi6-1227245254489 |title=Spies were so much on Emwazi's case they bought his computer |work=] |date=3 March 2015}}</ref> on 17 August 1988 in ]<ref name=skyadu /> to Jassem and Ghaneyah.<ref name=guabest /> The family, who were ] of ],<ref name=guabest /> moved to the United Kingdom in 1994 when he was six.<ref name=bbcpro>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31641569 |title=Islamic State: Profile of Mohammed Emwazi aka 'Jihadi John' |publisher=BBC News |date=27 February 2015}}</ref> They settled in inner west London, moving between several properties in ],<ref name=telcon>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11438747/Mohammed-Emwazi-timeline-from-school-years-with-Tulisa-Contostavlos-to-becoming-Jihadi-John.html |title=On the trail of Jihadi John, the slaughterer from Maida Vale |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 February 2015 |page=2}}</ref> later living in ] and finally in ].<ref name=telcon /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4366957.ece |title=Pious teenager who turned intoa zealot and heartless murderer |last=Hamilton |first=Fiona |work=The Times |date=27 February 2015 |page=2 |registration=yes}}</ref> Emwazi attended St Mary Magdalene Church of England primary school, and later ].<ref name=gualov>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/02/who-is-mohammed-emwazi-from-lovely-boy-to-islamic-state-executioner |title=Who is Mohammed Emwazi? From 'lovely boy' to Islamic State killer |work=] |date=2 March 2015}}</ref> Emwazi was born Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/spies-were-so-much-on-emwazis-case-they-bought-his-computer/story-fnb64oi6-1227245254489 |title=Spies were so much on Emwazi's case they bought his computer |newspaper=] |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=9 March 2019 |first1=Sean |last1=O'Neill |first2=Hugh |last2=Tomlinson |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170126032836/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-times/spies-were-so-much-on-emwazis-case-they-bought-his-computer/news-story/5d3fac0cbf888da8aeb66999c20cbaa0 |archive-date=26 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> on 17 August 1988 in ]<ref name=skyadu /> as the eldest of five children<ref name=telcon>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11438747/Mohammed-Emwazi-timeline-from-school-years-with-Tulisa-Contostavlos-to-becoming-Jihadi-John.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11438747/Mohammed-Emwazi-timeline-from-school-years-with-Tulisa-Contostavlos-to-becoming-Jihadi-John.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Mohammed Emwazi timeline: from school years with Tulisa Contostavlos to becoming Jihadi John |newspaper=] |date=26 February 2015 |last=Malnick |first=Edward |access-date=9 March 2019 |publisher=] |page=2}}{{cbignore}}</ref> to Jassem and Ghaneyah Emwazi.<ref name=guabest /> The family, who were ] of ],<ref name=guabest /> lived in the Taima area of the town of ], which was known as a "slumtown" where stateless people were ghettoized by the Kuwaiti government.<ref name="Qataria" /> They were undocumented, considered stateless and without Kuwaiti citizenship status.<ref name="Qataria">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/bca03b11857a450b9ba433f0f0482e86 |title='Jihadi John' born into stateless family in Kuwait |date=March 2, 2015 |newspaper=] |first=Hussain |last=Al-Qataria }}</ref> The family moved to the ] in 1994 when he was six.<ref name="bbcpro">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31641569 |title=Islamic State: Profile of Mohammed Emwazi aka 'Jihadi John' |work=] |date=27 February 2015 |access-date=9 March 2019 |publisher=] |first=Dominic |last=Casciani}}</ref> They settled in inner west London, moving between several properties in ],<ref name=telcon/> including subsidised accommodation,<ref name="Guardian Booth">{{cite news |last1=Booth |first1=Robert |last2=McVeigh |first2=Karen |title=Former London neighbours' shock at living next door to 'Jihadi John' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/26/london-neighbours-shock-living-next-door-jahadi-john-mohammed-ewazi |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=26 February 2015}}</ref> later living in ] and finally in ].<ref name=telcon /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4366957.ece |title=Pious teenager who turned into a zealot and heartless murderer |last1=Hamilton |first1=Fiona |first2=Sean |last2=O'Neill |first3=John |last3=Simpson |first4=Duncan |last4=Gardham |newspaper=] |date=27 February 2015 |page=2 |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822080217/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4366957.ece |archive-date=22 August 2015 |access-date=9 March 2019 |publisher=]}}</ref> Emwazi attended St Mary Magdalene Church of England primary school, and later ].<ref name=gualov>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/02/who-is-mohammed-emwazi-from-lovely-boy-to-islamic-state-executioner |title=Who is Mohammed Emwazi? From 'lovely boy' to Islamic State killer |newspaper=] |date=2 March 2015 |first1=Alexandra |last1=Topping |first2=Josh |last2=Halliday |access-date=9 March 2019 |publisher=]}}</ref> According to his former headteacher, Emwazi experienced some bullying at school.<ref>{{cite news|last=Casciani|first=Dominic|title=Islamic State: Profile of Mohammed Emwazi aka 'Jihadi John'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31641569|website=BBC|date=13 November 2015}}</ref>

In 2006, he went to the ], studying ]s with ]. He secured a ] ] honours degree on graduation three years later.<ref name=gualov /> At age 21, he worked as a salesman at an IT company in ] and was considered by his boss as the best employee the company ever had.<ref name=guabest />

At some point{{when|date=January 2024}} he became a ].<ref name="Bryan">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-c7d063c00c714b40aa33ebcf333fb12f |title=IS acknowledges death of 'Jihadi John' in magazine |newspaper=] |first=Dave |last=Bryan |date=19 January 2016 |quote=Jihadi John had been identified by the ] as Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born British citizen}}</ref> After he was granted UK citizenship, he started travelling back to Kuwait, as did his father.<ref name="bbcpro"/>


Emwazi was known to ] years prior to his sightings in IS execution videos, having initially been suspected of having links to ], and was repeatedly prevented from travelling back to Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-26 |title=Islamic State: Profile of Mohammed Emwazi aka 'Jihadi John' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31641569 |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The case prompted former British shadow home secretary ] to criticise the approach of UK intelligence services, noting "the numbers who appear to have 'slipped through the net'".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-28 |title=Mohammed Emwazi: Security approach ineffective, says Davis |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31673860 |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2006, he went to the ], studying ]s with ]. He secured a ] ] on graduation three years later.<ref name=gualov /> At age 21, he worked as a salesman at an IT company in ] and was considered by his boss as the best employee the company ever had.<ref name=guabest />


==Nicknames== ==Nicknames==
Emwazi was given the nickname "John" by a group of his hostages. The hostages said that he was part of a terrorist cell they called "]", and that he guarded Western hostages while handling communications with their families. The nickname refers to ] of ], and the three other group members share the first names of the other Beatles. The cell members all had British accents.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-london-rapper-l-jinny-became-jihadi-john-suspected-of-beheading-james-foley-20140825-107zdz.html |title=How London rapper L Jinny became Jihadi John, suspected of beheading James Foley |work=] |date=5 August 2014}}</ref> The nicknames "Jihadi John", "Jailer John" and "John the Beatle" were created by the press.<ref name=indnot /> Emwazi was given the nickname "John" by a group of his hostages. The hostages said that he guarded Western hostages while handling communications with their families, and was part of a terrorist cell they called ']' because the cell members all had British accents.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-london-rapper-l-jinny-became-jihadi-john-suspected-of-beheading-james-foley-20140825-107zdz.html |title=How London rapper L Jinny became Jihadi John, suspected of beheading James Foley |newspaper=] |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=9 March 2019 |first=Megan |last=Levy}}</ref> The nickname refers to ] of ]; the three other group members were each given the first name of one of the other Beatles.


The nicknames "Jihadi John", "Jailer John" and "John the Beatle" were created by journalists.<ref name=indnot /> "Jihadi John" was used on 20 August 2014 in the conservative magazine '']'' in a piece titled "Jihadi John – a very British export" by ], a frequent critic of Islam,<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2014/08/britains-beheaders-how-we-came-to-export-jihad |title=Jihadi John – a very British export |journal=] |first=Douglas |last=Murray |author-link=Douglas Murray (author) |date=20 August 2014 |access-date=23 December 2015 |archive-date=24 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224111441/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2014/08/britains-beheaders-how-we-came-to-export-jihad/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and soon after joined by the BBC and other sources.<ref name="bbc_nickname">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-28891342 |title='Jihadi John', fears for Gazza and GCSE 'ghost of Gove' in headlines |work=] |date=22 August 2014 |access-date=23 December 2015 |first=Andy |last=McFarlane |publisher=]}}</ref>
] expressed his disgust at the use of his former band's name in this context, saying: "It's bullshit. What they are doing out there is against everything the Beatles stood for," saying that the Beatles had stood for peace and opposed violence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Watts|first1=Matt|title=Ringo Starr takes on IS over Beatles nickname: 'It's bulls**t... We stood for peace and love'|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/ringo-starr-takes-on-is-over-beatles-nickname-its-bullst-we-stood-for-peace-and-love-9711463.html|accessdate=17 September 2014|work=]|date=4 September 2014}}</ref>


==Victims== ==Victims==
{{see also|ISIL beheading incidents}} {{see also|Islamic State beheading incidents}}
Following are reported victims of Jihadi John. The following are reported victims of Jihadi John:


===James Foley=== ===James Foley===
{{main|James Foley (journalist)}} {{main|James Foley (journalist)}}

In a video uploaded to YouTube on 19 August 2014, Foley read a prepared statement criticising the United States, the recent airstrikes in Iraq, and his brother who serves in the ].<ref name=rayner/> Emwazi, wearing a mask, also read a prepared statement in which he criticised America and President ] and made demands to cease the ].<ref name=rayner/> The masked man then beheaded Foley off-camera, after which he threatened to behead ] if his demands were not met. The ] and ] confirmed that the video, which included footage of Foley's beheaded corpse, was genuine.<ref name=rayner/>
In a video uploaded to YouTube on 19 August 2014, Foley read a prepared statement criticising the United States, the recent airstrikes in ], and his brother who serves in the ].<ref name=rayner/> Emwazi, wearing a mask, also read a prepared statement in which he criticised the US and President ] and made demands to cease the ].<ref name=rayner/> The masked man then beheaded Foley off-camera, after which he threatened to behead Steven Sotloff if his demands were not met.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/steven-sotloff-isis-threatens-second-journalist-after-beheading-of-james-foley-9680129.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/steven-sotloff-isis-threatens-second-journalist-after-beheading-of-james-foley-9680129.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Steven Sotloff: Isis threatens second US journalist after 'beheading' of James Foley |first=Heather |last=Saul |date=20 August 2014 |access-date=25 April 2019 |newspaper=]}}</ref> The ] and ] confirmed that the video, which included footage of Foley's beheaded corpse, was genuine.<ref name=rayner/>


===Steven Sotloff=== ===Steven Sotloff===
{{main|Steven Sotloff}} {{main|Steven Sotloff}}


On 2 September 2014, a video was released reportedly showing American journalist ]'s beheading by Emwazi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/isis-video-steven-sotloff-beheading|title=Isis video purports to show execution of US journalist Steven Sotloff|work=The Guardian|author=Paul Lewis|date=2 September 2014|accessdate=2 September 2014}}</ref> The ] confirmed the video's authenticity.<ref name=foxnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/03/video-reportedly-shows-beheading-reporter-steven-sotloff-by-isis/|title=White House confirms authenticity of ISIS video showing beheading of reporter|publisher=]|author=Joshua Rhett Miller/AP|date=3 September 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> On 2 September 2014, a video was released reportedly showing American journalist Steven Sotloff's beheading by Emwazi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/isis-video-steven-sotloff-beheading|title=Isis video purports to show execution of US journalist Steven Sotloff|work=The Guardian|author=Paul Lewis|date=2 September 2014|access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref> The ] confirmed the video's authenticity.<ref name=foxnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/03/video-reportedly-shows-beheading-reporter-steven-sotloff-by-isis/|title=White House confirms authenticity of ISIS video showing beheading of reporter|publisher=]|author=Joshua Rhett Miller/AP|date=3 September 2014|access-date=3 September 2014}}</ref>


===David Haines=== ===David Haines===
{{main|David Cawthorne Haines}} {{main|David Haines (aid worker)}}
On 13 September 2014, a video, directed at British Prime Minister ], was released, showing British hostage aid worker David Haines being beheaded by Emwazi.<ref name="ISIS executes British aid worker David Haines; Cameron vows justice">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/13/world/meast/isis-haines-family-message/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title=ISIS executes British aid worker David Haines; Cameron vows justice |publisher=] |date=13 September 2014}}</ref> On 13 September 2014, a video, directed at British Prime Minister ], was released, showing British hostage aid worker David Haines being beheaded by Emwazi.<ref name="ISIS executes British aid worker David Haines; Cameron vows justice">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/13/world/meast/isis-haines-family-message/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title=ISIS executes British aid worker David Haines; Cameron vows justice |work=CNN|date=13 September 2014}}</ref>


===Alan Henning=== ===Alan Henning===
{{main|Alan Henning}} {{main|Alan Henning}}
On 3 October 2014, a video released by ISIS showed Emwazi beheading British aid worker Alan Henning. Henning, a taxi driver from ], had volunteered to deliver aid to Syria when he was kidnapped in ], an area held by ISIS, on 27 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29486118|title=World reacts to IS video showing apparent killing of Alan Henning|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29199086|title=Alan Henning: An ordinary man who wanted to help Syrians|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> On 3 October 2014, a video released by IS showed Emwazi beheading British aid worker Alan Henning.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/new-isis-video-appears-to-show-execution-of-british-aid-work |title=New ISIS Video Appears To Show Execution Of British Aid Worker |first1=Ellie |last1=Hall |first2=Miriam |last2=Elder |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> Henning, a taxi driver from ], had volunteered to deliver aid to Syria.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29238385 |title=Alan Henning: Syria trips were worthwhile, says hostage |first=Catrin |last=Nye |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> He was kidnapped in ], an area held then by IS, on 27 December 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29486118|title=World reacts to IS video showing apparent killing of Alan Henning|date=4 October 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=4 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29199086|title=Alan Henning: An ordinary man who wanted to help Syrians|date=3 October 2014|work=BBC News|last1=Nye|first1=Catrin}}</ref>


===Peter Kassig=== ===Peter Kassig===
{{Main|Peter Kassig}}
On 16 November 2014 a video was posted by ISIS of Emwazi standing over a severed head, which the ] confirmed was that of Peter Kassig.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/16/peter-kassig-islamic-state-claims-beheading-syria/19128067 |title=U.S. review of Islamic State video confirms American's death |work=] |date=16 November 2014}}</ref> Kassig's actual beheading was not shown, and unlike earlier hostage beheading videos he did not make a statement.
On 16 November 2014 a video was posted by IS of Emwazi standing over a severed head, which the White House confirmed was that of Peter Kassig.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/16/peter-kassig-islamic-state-claims-beheading-syria/19128067 |title=U.S. review of Islamic State video confirms American's death |work=] |date=16 November 2014}}</ref> Kassig's actual beheading was not shown, and unlike earlier hostage beheading videos he did not make a statement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/3589350/peter-kassigs-powerful-silence-before-isis-beheaded-him/ |title=Peter Kassig's Powerful Silence Before ISIS Beheaded Him |first=Mark |last=Thompson |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=25 April 2019 |magazine=]}}</ref> There has been speculation that, faced with the prospect of being beheaded, he may have resisted and been shot dead: a senior surgeon performed a detailed examination of the video and saw possible evidence of a gunshot wound.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11293023/Peter-Kassig-killed-by-gunshot-before-he-was-decapitated.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11293023/Peter-Kassig-killed-by-gunshot-before-he-was-decapitated.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Peter Kassig 'killed by gunshot before he was decapitated' |work=The Telegraph |date=14 December 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/abdul-rahman-peter-kassig-died-from-gunshot-wound-rather-than-decapitation-say-researchers-9925845.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/abdul-rahman-peter-kassig-died-from-gunshot-wound-rather-than-decapitation-say-researchers-9925845.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Abdul Rahman Peter Kassig 'died from gunshot rather than decapitation,' suggest researchers |work=The Independent |date=15 December 2014}}</ref>


===Syrian soldiers=== ===Syrian soldiers===
The video that ended with a shot of Kassig's severed head showed the beheadings of 21 Syrian soldiers in gruesome detail, by a group led by a masked Emwazi. It was said by the ] that, unlike previous videos, this one shows the faces of many of the militants, indicates the location as being ] in Aleppo Province, and that this video "revels in gore." Unlike previous videos that cut away without showing the killing, Emwazi is shown beheading a victim.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30073602|title=Abdul-Rahman Kassig: US hostage 'killed by IS'|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The video that ended with a shot of Kassig's severed head showed the beheadings of a number of Syrian soldiers in gruesome detail, by a group led by a masked Emwazi. It was said by the BBC that, unlike previous videos, this one shows the faces of many of the militants, indicates the location as being ] in Aleppo Province, and that this video "revels in gore." Unlike previous videos that cut away without showing the killing, Emwazi is shown beheading a victim.<ref name=bbckil>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30073602|title=Abdul-Rahman Kassig: US hostage 'killed by IS'|date=16 November 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> Initially, the number killed was variously reported as at least 12,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/11/isil-beheads-syrians-us-aid-worker-2014111683932604856.html |title=ISIL beheads Syria troops and US aid worker |work=Al Jazeera |date=17 November 2014}}</ref> or 18.<ref name=bbckil /> Subsequent analysis by the Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium and UK-based counter-extremism think tank ] concluded that 22 captive soldiers were executed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2014/12/world/isis-syria-video-analysis/ |title=ISIS's brutal beheading video: Search for clues |work=CNN |date=8 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3624976/isis-beheading-technology-video-trac-quilliam/ |title=ISIS Mass Beheading Video Took 6 Hours to Film and Multiple Takes |magazine=] |date=10 December 2014}}</ref>


===Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto=== ===Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto===
{{main|Kenji Goto|Haruna Yukawa}} {{main|Kenji Goto}}
], age 42, was captured sometime before August 2014. ], age 47, was captured sometime in October 2014 while trying to rescue Yukawa. In January 2015, they were threatened to be killed unless the ] paid a ransom of $200&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/20/us-mideast-crisis-islamicstate-japan-idUSKBN0KT0GI20150120 |title=Islamic State threatens two Japanese captives in video |agency=] |date=20 January 2015}}</ref> Yukawa was beheaded on 24 January, and Goto on 31 January 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31252341 |title=Islamic State crisis: Jordan air strikes 'destroy' IS hideouts |publisher=BBC News |date=8 February 2015}}</ref> Haruna Yukawa, age 42, was captured sometime before August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11040770/Japanese-man-feared-kidnapped-by-Islamic-State-in-Syria.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11040770/Japanese-man-feared-kidnapped-by-Islamic-State-in-Syria.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Japanese man feared kidnapped by Islamic State in Syria |first=Julian |last=Ryall |date=18 August 2014 |access-date=9 October 2018 |newspaper=] |publisher=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Kenji Goto, age 47, was captured sometime in October 2014 while trying to rescue Yukawa.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/3676543/isis-japanese-hostages/ |title=Japanese War Reporter Was Abducted by ISIS After Trying to Save His Friend |first=Naina |last=Bajekal |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=9 October 2018 |magazine=] }}</ref> In January 2015, a threat was issued that they would be killed unless the ] paid a ransom of {{currency|200 million|USD|passthrough=yes}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-islamicstate-japan-idUSKBN0KT0GI20150120 |title=Islamic State threatens two Japanese captives in video |work=] |date=20 January 2015}}</ref> Yukawa was beheaded on 24 January, and Goto on 31 January 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31252341 |title=Islamic State crisis: Jordan air strikes 'destroy' IS hideouts |work=BBC News |date=8 February 2015}}</ref>

==Hostages==
It was claimed in August 2014 that ISIS held more than 20 hostages.<ref name=guardian-chulov>{{cite news|last1=Chulov|first1=Martin|title=Islamic State militants seize four more foreign hostages in Syria|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/islamic-state-isis-foreign-hostages-syria-aleppo|accessdate=23 August 2014|work=The Guardian|date=20 August 2014}}</ref> Many hostage families chose not to reveal their relatives' names to avoid drawing attention to them and compromising their safety.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} All or nearly all of the Europeans were ransomed by their countries{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}. However, laws in the US and the UK, among many developed countries, prohibit payment of ransoms.<ref name="thedailybeast1">{{cite web|author=Shane Harris|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/16/a-26-year-old-woman-is-isis-s-last-american-hostage.html|title=A 26-Year-Old Woman Is ISIS's Last American Hostage|work=The Daily Beast|accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>

===John Cantlie===
{{main|John Cantlie}}
Cantlie is a British citizen held hostage who has appeared in a series of ISIL videos. He was kidnapped along with James Foley on 22 November 2012.


==Analysis of videos== ==Analysis of videos==
Officially the FBI and US National Security Council confirmed that the James Foley video, which ended with footage of a beheaded corpse, was genuine.<ref name=rayner/> David Cameron and the ] also confirmed the authenticity of the video showing the death of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/david-haines-beheading-british-pm-vows-to-hunt-down-those-responsible-1.2765792|title=David Haines beheading: British PM vows to 'hunt down those responsible'|publisher=]|author=The Associated Press|date=14 September 2014}}</ref>


An unnamed forensics expert commissioned by '']'' to look at the James Foley video said, "I think it has been staged. My feeling is that the murder may have happened after the camera was stopped." ''The Times'' concluded that "No one is questioning that the photojournalist ] was beheaded, but camera trickery and slick post-production techniques appear to have been used."<ref>{{cite web|last=Haynes|first=Deborah|author-link=Deborah Haynes|date=25 August 2014|title=Foley video with Briton was staged, experts say|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/foley-video-with-briton-was-staged-experts-say-qgdr9mcq3lf|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140828040500/http://failover-www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4186089.html|archive-date=28 August 2014|access-date=27 August 2014|work=]}}</ref> Two unnamed video specialists in the '']'' claimed that portions of the video appeared to be staged and edited.<ref name="IBTAustralia">{{cite news|title=James Foley Beheading Video Has Play-Acting Portions – Video Experts Say |url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/563629/20140822/james-foley-beheading-video.htm#.U_fkW7GTDK3 |date=23 August 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014 |publisher=International Business Times of Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822144616/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/563629/20140822/james-foley-beheading-video.htm |archive-date=22 August 2014 }}</ref> James Alvarez, a British-American hostage negotiator, also claimed the James Foley video was "expertly staged", with the use of two separate cameras and a clip-on microphone attached to Foley's orange jumpsuit.<ref name=rayner/> Jeff Smith, associate director of the CU Denver National Center for Media Forensics in the US, said "What's most interesting is that the actual beheading that takes place in the videos, both of them are staged."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/09/03/media-forensics-experts-analyzing-isis-video/|title=Media Forensics Experts Analyzing ISIS Video in Denver|date=3 September 2014|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref>
===Official analysis===
Officially the ] and ] confirmed that the James Foley video, which ended with footage of a beheaded corpse, was genuine.<ref name=rayner/> David Cameron and the ] also confirmed the authenticity of the video showing the death of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/david-haines-beheading-british-pm-vows-to-hunt-down-those-responsible-1.2765792|title=David Haines beheading: British PM vows to 'hunt down those responsible'|publisher=]|author=CThe Associated Press|date=14 September 2014}}</ref>


British analyst ] (Brown Moses) published photographic and video forensic evidence suggesting that the James Foley video was taken at a spot in the hills south of the Syrian city of Raqqa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20140824-irak-ei-execution-james-foley-jihadi-john-enquete-mi5-mi6-localisation-etat-islamique-raqqa|title=France 24: ''Exécution de James Foley: la traque de 'Jihadi John' est lancée''|date=24 August 2014|publisher=France 24|access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bellingcat.com/resources/case-studies/2014/08/23/the-hills-of-raqqa-geolocating-the-james-foley-video/|title=Bellingcat: ''The Hills of Raqqa – Geolocating the James Foley Video''|date=23 August 2014|access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2014/08/25/exp-erin-sciutto-where-was-foley-killed.cnn.html|title=Is this where James Foley was killed?|work=CNN|date=26 August 2014 |access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref>
The videos were produced and distributed by ], a media outlet of ISIS that is under the authority of the ISIS's official propaganda arm, the Al-Itisam Establishment for Media Production, that targets specifically Western and non-Arabic speaking audiences.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.de/g%C3%BCnther-der-islamische-staat-agiert-hochgradig-rational/a-17866907|title=Der 'Islamische Staat' agiert hochgradig rational|publisher=]|author=Christoph Günther|date=20 August 2014}}</ref>

===Unofficial analysis===
An unnamed forensics expert commissioned by '']'' to look at the James Foley video said, "I think it has been staged. My feeling is that the murder may have happened after the camera was stopped." ''The Times'' concluded that "No one is questioning that the photojournalist ] was beheaded, but camera trickery and slick post-production techniques appear to have been used."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://failover-www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4186089.html|title=Foley video with Briton was staged, experts say|work=]|author=Deborah Haynes|date=25 August 2014|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref> Two unnamed video specialists in the '']'' claimed that portions of the video appeared to be staged and edited.<ref name="IBTAustralia">{{cite news|title=James Foley Beheading Video Has Play-Acting Portions – Video Experts Say|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/563629/20140822/james-foley-beheading-video.htm#.U_fkW7GTDK3|date=23 August 2014|accessdate=23 August 2014|publisher=International Business Times of Australia}}</ref> Dr James Alvarez, a British-American hostage negotiator, also claimed the James Foley video was "expertly staged", with the use of two separate cameras and a clip-on microphone attached to Foley's orange jumpsuit.<ref name=rayner/> Jeff Smith, Associate Director of the CU Denver National Center for Media Forensics, said "What's most interesting is that the actual beheading that takes place in the videos, both of them are staged."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/09/03/media-forensics-experts-analyzing-isis-video/|title=Media Forensics Experts Analyzing ISIS Video in Denver|accessdate=15 September 2014}}</ref>

British analyst ] (Brown Moses) published photographic and video forensic evidence suggesting that the James Foley video was taken at a spot in the hills south of the Syrian city of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20140824-irak-ei-execution-james-foley-jihadi-john-enquete-mi5-mi6-localisation-etat-islamique-raqqa|title=France 24: ''Exécution de James Foley: la traque de "Jihadi John" est lancée''|publisher=France 24|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bellingcat.com/resources/case-studies/2014/08/23/the-hills-of-raqqa-geolocating-the-james-foley-video/|title=Bellingcat: ''The Hills of Raqqa – Geolocating the James Foley Video''|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2014/08/25/exp-erin-sciutto-where-was-foley-killed.cnn.html|title=Is this where James Foley was killed?|publisher=CNN|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref>


==Identification and manhunt== ==Identification and manhunt==
Line 98: Line 95:


===Search for identity and early speculation=== ===Search for identity and early speculation===
{{see also|United Kingdom and ISIL|Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary}} {{see also|United Kingdom and the Islamic State|Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary}}
'Jihadi John' became the subject of a manhunt by the ], ], and ].<ref name=video/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=PM returns from holiday after video shows US reporter beheaded by Briton|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/20/isis-fighter-beheaded-us-journalist-james-foley-appears-british-hammond|accessdate=20 August 2014|work=]|date=20 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPYZwHmXzI|title=Uncovering James Foley's killer|work=]|date=21 August 2014|accessdate=22 August 2014}}</ref> In his videos, "Jihadi John" concealed his identity by covering himself from head to toe in black, except for tan desert boots, with a mask that left only his eyes visible.<ref name=video/> Despite this, several facts about 'Jihadi John' could be ascertained from both videos. He spoke with an apparent London or southern England accent<ref name=video>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11044977/Hunt-for-British-Islamic-State-killer-of-US-journalist-James-Foley.html|title=Hunt for 'British' Islamic State killer of US journalist James Foley|work=]|author=Nick Allen and Philip Sherwell|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=20 August 2014}}</ref> and appeared to have a skin tone consistent with ] or ] descent.<ref name=rayner/> In both videos, he was seen to sport a pistol in a leather ] under his left shoulder, typical of ] people,<ref name=np>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08/20/hunt-is-on-for-isis-terrorist-video-yields-clues-to-identity-of-american-journalists-left-handed-executioner|title=Hunt is on for ISIS terrorist: Video yields clues to identity of American journalist’s left-handed executioner|work=]|author=Gordon Rayner, Alastair Beach, Martin Evans, Philip Sherwell|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> but his actions in the videos suggest he is ].<ref name=Fox>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/03/video-reportedly-shows-beheading-reporter-steven-sotloff-by-isis/?pid=tradedesk01&aid=tradedesk01&cid=0511td300x250&c=tradedesk01cont1&w=300&h=250&plc=tr\%22|title=White House confirms authenticity of ISIS video showing beheading of reporter|publisher=]|author=Joshua Rhett Miller|date=3 September 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref>


"Jihadi John" became the subject of a manhunt by the ], ], and ].<ref name=video/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=PM returns from holiday after video shows US reporter beheaded by Briton|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/20/isis-fighter-beheaded-us-journalist-james-foley-appears-british-hammond|access-date=20 August 2014|work=]|date=20 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPYZwHmXzI|title=Uncovering James Foley's killer|work=]|date=21 August 2014|access-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> In his videos, "Jihadi John" concealed his identity by covering himself from head to toe in black, except for tan desert boots, with a mask that left only his eyes visible.<ref name=video/> Despite this, several facts about "Jihadi John" could be ascertained from both videos. He spoke with an apparent London or southern England accent.<ref name=video>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11044977/Hunt-for-British-Islamic-State-killer-of-US-journalist-James-Foley.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11044977/Hunt-for-British-Islamic-State-killer-of-US-journalist-James-Foley.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Hunt for 'British' Islamic State killer of US journalist James Foley|work=]|author1=Nick Allen |author2=Philip Sherwell |date=20 August 2014|access-date=20 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=rayner/> In both videos, he was seen to sport a pistol in a leather ] under his left shoulder, typical of right-handed people,<ref name=np>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08/20/hunt-is-on-for-isis-terrorist-video-yields-clues-to-identity-of-american-journalists-left-handed-executioner|title=Hunt is on for ISIS terrorist: Video yields clues to identity of American journalist's left-handed executioner|work=]|author1=Gordon Rayner |author2=Alastair Beach |author3=Martin Evans |author4=Philip Sherwell |date=20 August 2014|access-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> but his actions in the videos suggest he is ].<ref name=Fox>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/03/video-reportedly-shows-beheading-reporter-steven-sotloff-by-isis/?pid=tradedesk01&aid=tradedesk01&cid=0511td300x250&c=tradedesk01cont1&w=300&h=250&plc=tr\%22|title=White House confirms authenticity of ISIS video showing beheading of reporter|publisher=]|author=Joshua Rhett Miller|date=3 September 2014|access-date=3 September 2014}}</ref>
Other factors that could have led to his identification were his height, general physique, the pattern of veins on the back of his hands,<ref name=rayner/> his voice and clothes.<ref name=rayner/><ref name=video/> A team of analysts might use the topography of the landscape in the video in an attempt to identify the location.<ref name=rayner>{{cite web|last=Rayner|first=Gordon|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11047420/Video-clues-that-could-unmask-James-Foleys-murderer.html|title=Video clues that could unmask James Foley's murderer|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> On 24 August 2014, the ], ], said that Britain was very close to identifying 'Jihadi John' using sophisticated ] technology,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherwell|first=Philip|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11053836/Britain-very-close-to-identifying-Jihadi-John-suspected-killer-of-James-Foley-says-ambassador.html|title=Britain 'very close' to identifying 'Jihadi John' – suspected killer of James Foley – says ambassador|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 August 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> but when pressed, refused to disclose any other details.<ref>{{cite news|last=Almasy|first=Steve|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/24/world/meast/isis-james-foley/index.html|title=Britain close to identifying James Foley's killer, ambassador says|publisher=CNN|date=26 August 2014|accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref>


Other factors that could have led to his identification were his height, general physique, the pattern of veins on the back of his hands,<ref name=rayner/> his voice and clothes.<ref name=rayner/><ref name=video/> A team of analysts might use the topography of the landscape in the video in an attempt to identify the location.<ref name=rayner>{{cite web|last=Rayner|first=Gordon|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11047420/Video-clues-that-could-unmask-James-Foleys-murderer.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11047420/Video-clues-that-could-unmask-James-Foleys-murderer.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Video clues that could unmask James Foley's murderer|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 24 August 2014, the ], ], said that Britain was very close to identifying "Jihadi John" using sophisticated ] technology,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherwell|first=Philip|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11053836/Britain-very-close-to-identifying-Jihadi-John-suspected-killer-of-James-Foley-says-ambassador.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11053836/Britain-very-close-to-identifying-Jihadi-John-suspected-killer-of-James-Foley-says-ambassador.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Britain 'very close' to identifying 'Jihadi John' – suspected killer of James Foley – says ambassador|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> but when pressed, refused to disclose any other details.<ref>{{cite news|last=Almasy|first=Steve|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/24/world/meast/isis-james-foley/index.html|title=Britain close to identifying James Foley's killer, ambassador says|work=CNN|date=26 August 2014|access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>
On 20 September 2014, the ] approved a $10&nbsp;million reward for information that led to the capture of anyone involved in the murders of ], ] and ], which includes 'Jihadi John'.<ref name=bounty>{{cite news|title=US Senate Approves $10m Bounty for James Foley and Steven Sotloff ISIS Killers|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-senate-approves-10m-bounty-james-foley-steven-sotloff-isis-killers-1466423|date=20 September 2014|accessdate=22 September 2014}}</ref> On 20 November, the bill, extending the potential scope of the reward program to any American kidnapped and murdered by a ] and limiting the reward to a maximum of $5&nbsp;million, was referred to the ].<ref></ref>


On 20 September 2014, the ] approved a {{currency|10 million|USD|passthrough=yes}} reward for information that led to the capture of anyone involved in the murders of ], ] and ].<ref name=bounty>{{cite news|title=US Senate Approves $10m Bounty for James Foley and Steven Sotloff ISIS Killers|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-senate-approves-10m-bounty-james-foley-steven-sotloff-isis-killers-1466423|date=20 September 2014|access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> On 20 November, the bill, extending the potential scope of the reward program to any American kidnapped and murdered by a ] and limiting the reward to a maximum of {{currency|5 million|USD|passthrough=yes}}, was referred to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:h.r.05752: |title="Bill Summary & Status 113th Congress (2013–2014) H.R.5752", Library of Congress |access-date=12 March 2015 |archive-date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204233737/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:h.r.05752: |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 14 September British Prime Minister ] confirmed that the identity of 'Jihadi John' was known but had yet to be revealed.<ref name="His ID is known, not revealed">{{cite news|title=The British connection to ISIS beheadings|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/14/opinion/bergen-british-connection-isis-beheadings/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|date=14 September 2014|accessdate=14 September 2014|publisher=CNN}}</ref>


On 14 September British Prime Minister ] confirmed that the identity of "Jihadi John" was known but had yet to be revealed.<ref name="His ID is known, not revealed">{{cite news|title=The British connection to ISIS beheadings|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/14/opinion/bergen-british-connection-isis-beheadings/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|date=14 September 2014|access-date=14 September 2014|work=CNN}}</ref>
On 25 September, ] ] told reporters that they had identified the suspect, but did not give information regarding the man's identity or nationality.<ref name=Al-Arabiya-09-26>{{cite news|last1=Crompton|first1=Paul|title=FBI: U.S. identifies ISIS hostage executioner|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/25/U-S-identifies-ISIS-hostage-executioner.html|accessdate=26 September 2014|publisher=]|date=26 September 2014}}</ref> "I believe that we have identified him. I'm not going to tell you who I believe it is," Comey stated.<ref name=usa-today-09-25>{{cite news|last1=Winter|first1=Michael|title=FBI chief: ISIS militant in beheading videos identified|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/25/fbi-islamic-state-beheadings/16212521/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatoday-newstopstories|accessdate=26 September 2014|work=]|date=25 September 2014}}</ref> Michael Ryan, an author and scholar from the ] speculated, "maybe 98 percent of 95 percent sure is not sure enough to put a man's name out."<ref name=Al-Arabiya-09-26/>


On 25 September, ] ] told reporters that they had identified the suspect, but did not give information regarding the man's identity or nationality.<ref name=Al-Arabiya-09-26>{{cite news|last1=Crompton|first1=Paul|title=FBI: U.S. identifies ISIS hostage executioner|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/25/U-S-identifies-ISIS-hostage-executioner.html|access-date=26 September 2014|publisher=]|date=26 September 2014}}</ref> "I believe that we have identified him. I'm not going to tell you who I believe it is," Comey stated.<ref name=usa-today-09-25>{{cite news|last1=Winter|first1=Michael|title=FBI chief: ISIS militant in beheading videos identified|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/25/fbi-islamic-state-beheadings/16212521/|access-date=26 September 2014|work=]|date=25 September 2014}}</ref> Michael Ryan, an author and scholar from the ] speculated, "maybe 98 percent or 95 percent sure is not sure enough to put a man's name out."<ref name=Al-Arabiya-09-26/>
In August 2014, '']'' reported that ] ("L Jinny"), 23, a ] musician from ] had "emerged as a key suspect" in the investigation.<ref>Richard Kerbaj, Marie Woolf and Nicky Harley, , ''Sunday Times'', 24 August 2014.</ref><ref name="StandardBary">{{cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-rapper-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-investigated-as-police-hunt-for-jihadi-john-9687547.html|title=London rapper Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary investigated as police hunt for 'Jihadi John'|work=London Evening Standard|date=23 August 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> Other sources also stated that ], 20, a ] from ] and Abu Abdullah al-Britani, in his 20s from ], were suspects.<ref name="StandardBary"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/world/london-hiphop-artist-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-key-suspect-in-hunt-for-killer-of-american-journalist-james-foley/story-fndir2ev-1227034541900 |title=London hip-hop artist Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary key suspect in hunt for killer of American journalist James Foley |publisher=] |date=25 August 2014}}</ref>

In August 2014, '']'' reported that ] ("L Jinny"), 23, a ] musician from ], had "emerged as a key suspect" in the investigation.<ref>], Marie Woolf and Nicky Harley, , ''Sunday Times'', 24 August 2014.</ref><ref name="StandardBary">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-rapper-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-investigated-as-police-hunt-for-jihadi-john-9687547.html|title=London rapper Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary investigated as police hunt for 'Jihadi John'|work=London Evening Standard|date=23 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2014}}</ref> Other sources also stated that ], 20, a ] from ], and Abu Abdullah al-Britani, in his 20s from ], were suspects.<ref name="StandardBary"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/world/london-hiphop-artist-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-key-suspect-in-hunt-for-killer-of-american-journalist-james-foley/story-fndir2ev-1227034541900 |title=London hip-hop artist Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary key suspect in hunt for killer of American journalist James Foley |publisher=] |date=25 August 2014 |access-date=24 August 2014 |archive-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128071101/http://www.news.com.au/world/london-hiphop-artist-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-key-suspect-in-hunt-for-killer-of-american-journalist-james-foley/story-fndir2ev-1227034541900 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Mohammed Emwazi=== ===Mohammed Emwazi===
On 26 February 2015, '']'' identified the perpetrator as '''Mohammed Emwazi''', a British man then in his mid-20s who was born in Kuwait and grew up in west London.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/jihadi-john-the-islamic-state-killer-behind-the-mask-is-a-young-londoner/2015/02/25/d6dbab16-bc43-11e4-bdfa-b8e8f594e6ee_story.html |title='Jihadi John': The Islamic State killer behind the mask is a young Londoner |work=] |date=26 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="IdentifiedBBC">{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31637090 |title='Jihadi John' named as Mohammed Emwazi from London |publisher=BBC News |date=26 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/world/europe/british-intelligence-services-had-early-encounter-with-man-identified-as-isis-fighter.html |title='Jihadi John' From ISIS Execution Videos Was Under Watch by British Intelligence |work=The New York Times |date=26 February 2015}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' investigation was undertaken by ] and Alan Goldman.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/> On 26 February 2015, '']'' identified the perpetrator as Mohammed Emwazi, a British man then in his mid-20s who was born in Kuwait and grew up in west London.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/jihadi-john-the-islamic-state-killer-behind-the-mask-is-a-young-londoner/2015/02/25/d6dbab16-bc43-11e4-bdfa-b8e8f594e6ee_story.html |title='Jihadi John': The Islamic State killer behind the mask is a young Londoner |newspaper=] |date=26 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="IdentifiedBBC">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31637090 |title='Jihadi John' named as Mohammed Emwazi from London |work=BBC News |date=26 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/world/europe/british-intelligence-services-had-early-encounter-with-man-identified-as-isis-fighter.html |title='Jihadi John' From ISIS Execution Videos Was Under Watch by British Intelligence |work=The New York Times |date=26 February 2015}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' investigation was undertaken by ] and Adam Goldman.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/>


Emwazi was born to Iraqi parents who moved to neighbouring Kuwait from Iraq. When the Kuwaiti government rejected their application for citizenship, in 1994 they moved to Iraq and then on to Britain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/213618/t/Parents-of-IS-executioner-Iraqi/Default.aspx |title=Parents of IS Executioner Iraqi |work=] |date=1 March 2015}}</ref> According to his student card from the ], Emwazi was born on 17 August 1988.<ref name=skyadu /> According to his student card from the ], Emwazi was born on 17 August 1988.<ref name=skyadu />


The BBC stated that Emwazi is believed to be "an associate of a former UK ] suspect&nbsp;... who travelled to ] in 2006 and is allegedly linked to a facilitation and funding network for Somali militant group ]."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-26 |title=Islamic State: Profile of Mohammed Emwazi aka 'Jihadi John' |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31641569 |access-date=2023-01-24}}</ref> He reportedly prayed on occasion at a mosque in ].<ref name=IdentifiedWaPo /> He graduated with a degree in Information Systems with Business Management from the ] in 2009.<ref name=skykin /> His last known UK address was in ], North London.<ref name=bbcpro />
] and ] declined to comment on the reports.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11436596/Jihadi-John-named-as-Mohammed-Emwazi-from-west-London.html |title=Jihadi John named as Mohammed Emwazi, from west London |work=] |date=26 February 2015}}</ref> The ] of the ] released a statement saying: "We are not going to confirm the identity of anyone at this stage or give an update on the progress of this live counter-terrorism investigation."<ref>. Retrieved 26 February 2015.</ref> The security services in the US and UK are believed to have known the identity of 'Jihadi John' since September 2014, but have not revealed the name for ] reasons.<ref name="IdentifiedBBC"/>


The ''Post'' reported interviews with Emwazi's friends indicating that Emwazi was ] after a planned ] to ] following his graduation. According to the interviews, Emwazi and two friends, a German convert to Islam named Omar and another man, Abu Talib, never made the safari. Rather, upon landing in ] in May 2009, the three were detained, held overnight by police, and eventually ]. In May 2010, '']'' reported on the episode, identifying Emwazi as Muhammad ibn Muazzam. According to e-mails sent by Emwazi to Asim Qureshi, the research director of the human rights group Cage, and that were provided to the ''Post'', after leaving Tanzania, Emwazi flew to ], where he claimed that an MI5 officer accused him of attempting to go to Somalia, where al-Shabab operates. Emwazi denied attempting to reach Somalia, but a former hostage told the ''Post'' that "Jihadi John was obsessed with Somalia" and forced captives to watch videos about al-Shabab.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/> Tanzanian officials have denied that they detained and deported Emwazi at the request of MI5, saying instead that he had been refused entry for being drunk and abusive.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31785820 |title=Mohammed Emwazi: Tanzanian officer recalls airport arrest |work=BBC News |date=8 March 2015}}</ref>
In an interview with ''The Washington Post'', one of Emwazi's close friends said: "I have no doubt that Mohammed is Jihadi John. He was like a brother to me. ... I am sure it is him." Asim Qureshi, research director at the advocacy group ], who had been in contact with Emwazi before he left for Syria, also identified the man in the videos as Emwazi, stating: "There was an extremely strong resemblance. This is making me feel fairly certain that this is the same person." US officials declined to comment for the ''Washington Post'' report, and Emwazi's family declined a request for an interview.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/> Qureshi said that Emwazi was "extremely kind, gentle and soft-spoken, the most humble young person I knew".<ref name="IdentifiedBBC" />


Later, Emwazi and his friends were permitted to return to Britain, where Emwazi met with Qureshi in late 2009. The ''Post'' quoted Qureshi as saying that Emwazi was "incensed" at the way he had been treated. Emwazi moved to Kuwait shortly afterward, where (according to emails he wrote to Qureshi), he worked for a computer company. Emwazi returned to London twice, however, and, on the second visit, he made plans to wed a woman in Kuwait.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/>
The BBC stated that Emwazi is believed to be "an associate of a former UK ] suspect ... who travelled to ] in 2006 and is allegedly linked to a facilitation and funding network for Somali militant group ]."<ref name=IdentifiedBBC /> He reportedly prayed on occasion at a mosque in ].<ref name=IdentifiedWaPo /> He graduated with a degree in Information Systems with Business Management from the ] (2009).<ref name=skykin /> His final address in the UK before he went abroad was in the ] area of north-west London.<ref name=bbcpro />


In June 2010, Emwazi was detained by counter-terrorism officials in Britain, who searched and fingerprinted him, and blocked him from returning to Kuwait. In an email four months later to Qureshi, Emwazi expressed sympathy for ] who had just been sentenced in US federal court for assault and attempted murder. Qureshi said he last heard from Emwazi when Emwazi sought advice from him in January 2012. Close friends of Emwazi interviewed by the ''Post'' said that he was "desperate to leave the country" and one friend stated that Emwazi unsuccessfully tried to travel to ] to teach English in 2012. Sometime after January 2012, Emwazi travelled to Syria, where he apparently contacted his family and at least one of his friends.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/>
The ''Post'' reported interviews with Emwazi's friends indicating that Emwazi was ] after a planned ] to ] following his graduation. According to the interviews, Emwazi and two friends, a German convert to Islam named Omar and another man, Abu Talib, never made the safari. Rather, upon landing in ] in May 2009, the three were detained, held overnight by police, and eventually ]. In May 2010, '']'' reported on the episode, identifying Emwazi as Muhammad ibn Muazzam. According to e-mails sent by Emwazi to Qureshi and that were provided to the ''Post'', after leaving Tanzania, Emwazi flew to ], where he claimed that an MI5 officer accused him of attempting to go to Somalia, where al-Shabab operates. Emwazi denied attempting to reach Somalia, but a former hostage told the ''Post'' that "Jihadi John was obsessed with Somalia" and forced captives to watch videos about al-Shabab.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/> Tanzanian officials have denied that they detained and deported Emwazi at the request of MI5, saying instead that he had been refused entry for being drunk and abusive.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31785820 |title=Mohammed Emwazi: Tanzanian officer recalls airport arrest |publisher=BBC News |date=8 March 2015}}</ref>


In March 2015, the media reported that his mother had recognised Jihadi John's voice as her son's;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31700907 |title=Mother recognised Mohammed Emwazi's voice on hostage videos |work=BBC News |date=2 March 2015}}</ref> meanwhile, his father denied that this had happened or that Emwazi was Jihadi John.<ref name=guapro>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/04/mohammed-emwazi-father-proof-son-isis-executioner |title=Mohammed Emwazi's father: no proof my son is Isis executioner |work=The Guardian |date=4 March 2015}}</ref>
Later, Emwazi and his friends were permitted to return to Britain, where Emwazi met with Qureshi in late 2009. The ''Post'' quoted Qureshi as saying that Emwazi was "incensed" at the way he had been treated. Emwazi moved to Kuwait shortly afterward, where (according to emails he wrote to Qureshi), he worked for a computer company. Emwazi returned to London twice, however, and, on the second visit, he made plans to wed a woman in Kuwait.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/>

In June 2010, Emwazi was detained by counter-terrorism officials in Britain, who searched and fingerprinted him, and blocked him from returning to Kuwait. In an email four months later to Qureshi, Emwazi expressed sympathy for ], an ] operative who had just been sentenced in US federal court for assault and attempted murder. Qureshi said he last heard from Emwazi when Emwazi sought advice from him in January 2012. Close friends of Emwazi interviewed by the ''Post'' said that he was "desperate to leave the country" and one friend stated that Emwazi unsuccessfully tried to travel to ] to teach English in 2012. Sometime after January 2012, Emwazi travelled to Syria, where he apparently contacted his family and at least one of his friends.<ref name="IdentifiedWaPo"/>

In March 2015, the media reported that his mother had recognised Jihadi John's voice as her son's;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31700907 |title=Mother recognised Mohammed Emwazi's voice on hostage videos |publisher=BBC News |date=2 March 2015}}</ref> meanwhile, his father denied that this had happened or that Emwazi was Jihadi John.<ref name=guapro>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/04/mohammed-emwazi-father-proof-son-isis-executioner |title=Mohammed Emwazi's father: no proof my son is Isis executioner |work=The Guardian |date=4 March 2015}}</ref>
<!-- see section below "Reactions" for his reported death -->


==Reactions== ==Reactions==
US President ] condemned the actions of 'Jihadi John' and vowed punishment for all the militants responsible for the videotaped beheadings.<ref name=Obama>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/world/middleeast/steven-sotloff-isis-execution.html|title=After Beheading of Steven Sotloff, Obama Pledges to Punish ISIS |work=The New York Times |date=3 September 2014}}</ref> Secretary of State ] also called 'Jihadi John' a "coward behind a mask" and, echoing Obama, stated that all those responsible would be held accountable by the United States.<ref name=Obama/> British officials have also reiterated their commitment to capturing 'Jihadi John'. ], a former UK ], said that he is a "dead man walking" who will be "hunted down" ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11073733/Jihadi-John-is-dead-man-walking-says-former-security-minister.html|title=Jihadi John is 'dead man walking', says former security minister – Telegraph|date=3 September 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref> Prime Minister David Cameron also stated that he was absolutely certain that Jihadi John would "one way or another, face justice", and he also condemned the actions of 'Jihadi John'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11074342/David-Cameron-absolutely-certain-Jihadi-John-will-be-caught.html|title=David Cameron 'absolutely certain Jihadi John will be caught' – Telegraph|date=4 September 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/04/alan-henning-hostage-killing-harsh-price-isis-syria|title=Alan Henning murder: David Cameron vows to defeat ISIS|date=4 October 2014|work=]|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref> UK ] ], and Secretary General of ] ] also stated that Jihadi John should be brought to justice.<ref name=Possible>{{cite news|first1=Tom|last1=Whitehead|title=Jihadi John known to MI5 but may never be brought to justice|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11097837/Jihadi-John-known-to-MI5-but-may-never-be-brought-to-justice.html|work=]|accessdate=19 September 2014|date=16 September 2014}}</ref> United States President ] condemned the actions of "Jihadi John" and vowed punishment for all the militants responsible for the videotaped beheadings.<ref name=Obama>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/world/middleeast/steven-sotloff-isis-execution.html|title=After Beheading of Steven Sotloff, Obama Pledges to Punish ISIS |work=The New York Times |date=3 September 2014}}</ref> US Secretary of State ] also called "Jihadi John" a "coward behind a mask" and, echoing Obama, stated that all those responsible would be held accountable by the United States.<ref name=Obama/> British officials have also reiterated their commitment to capturing "Jihadi John". ], a former UK ], said that he is a "dead man walking" who will be "hunted down" ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11073733/Jihadi-John-is-dead-man-walking-says-former-security-minister.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11073733/Jihadi-John-is-dead-man-walking-says-former-security-minister.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jihadi John is 'dead man walking', says former security minister|date=3 September 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Prime Minister David Cameron also stated that he was absolutely certain that Jihadi John would "one way or another, face justice", and he also condemned the actions of "Jihadi John".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11074342/David-Cameron-absolutely-certain-Jihadi-John-will-be-caught.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11074342/David-Cameron-absolutely-certain-Jihadi-John-will-be-caught.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=David Cameron 'absolutely certain Jihadi John will be caught'|date=4 September 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/04/alan-henning-hostage-killing-harsh-price-isis-syria|title=Alan Henning murder: David Cameron vows to defeat ISIS|date=4 October 2014|work=]|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> UK ] ], and Secretary General of ] ] also stated that Jihadi John should be brought to justice.<ref name=Possible>{{cite news|first1=Tom|last1=Whitehead|title=Jihadi John known to MI5 but may never be brought to justice|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11097837/Jihadi-John-known-to-MI5-but-may-never-be-brought-to-justice.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11097837/Jihadi-John-known-to-MI5-but-may-never-be-brought-to-justice.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=]|access-date=19 September 2014|date=16 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


Reacting to the naming of Emwazi by the media, a spokesman for the family of ] told the BBC that they wanted to see him behind bars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31646971|title=Sotloff family want 'Jihadi John' jailed|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref> Bethany Haines, daughter of David, said "It's a good step but I think all the families will feel closure and relief once there's a bullet between his eyes."<ref>{{cite news|title=Mohammed Emwazi: We won’t get closure until there's a bullet between his eyes, says widow of aid worker David Haines|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/david-haines-daughter-we-wont-get-closure-until-bullet-between-jihadi-johns-eyes-10073559.html|accessdate=1 March 2015|work=London Evening Standard|date=27 February 2015}}</ref> Reacting to the naming of Emwazi by the media, a representative for the ] family told the BBC that they would wish to see Emwazi imprisoned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31646971|title=Sotloff family want 'Jihadi John' jailed|work=BBC News|access-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> Bethany Haines, daughter of David, said "It's a good step but I think all the families will feel closure and relief once there's a bullet between his eyes."<ref>{{cite news|title=Mohammed Emwazi: We won't get closure until there's a bullet between his eyes, says widow of aid worker David Haines|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/david-haines-daughter-we-wont-get-closure-until-bullet-between-jihadi-johns-eyes-10073559.html|access-date=1 March 2015|work=London Evening Standard|date=27 February 2015}}</ref>


], a former independent reviewer of UK anti-terror laws, said, "Had ] been in place, in my view there is a realistic prospect that Mohammed Emwazi, and at least two of his associates, would have been the subject of control orders with a compulsory relocation."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/01/jihadi-john-isis-emails_n_6777826.html |title=Jihadi John, UK ISIS Murderer, 'Emailed Mail on Sunday Journalist About Security Services' |work=The Huffington Post |date=1 March 2015}}</ref> ], a former independent reviewer of UK anti-terror laws, said, "Had ] been in place, in my view there is a realistic prospect that Mohammed Emwazi, and at least two of his associates, would have been the subject of control orders with a compulsory relocation."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/01/jihadi-john-isis-emails_n_6777826.html |title=Jihadi John, UK ISIS Murderer, 'Emailed Mail on Sunday Journalist About Security Services' |work=The Huffington Post |date=1 March 2015}}</ref>


In reaction to the revelation, Emwazi's father, Jassem, has said that he is ashamed of his son. Previously, when he learned from his son that he was going to Syria "for ]", Jassem had told him that he hoped he would be killed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11446598/Jihadi-John-Father-accuses-Mohammed-Emwazi-of-being-a-dog-and-terrorist.html |title=Jihadi John: Father accuses Mohammed Emwazi of being a 'dog' and 'terrorist' |work=The Telegraph |date=3 March 2015}}</ref> But the day after the naming he issued a statement denying that his son was Jihadi John.<ref name=guapro /> An unidentified cousin issued a statement which said, "We hate him. We hope he will be killed soon. This will be good news for our family."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/213687/reftab/36/t/Security-probes-links-to-Emwazi/Default.aspx |title=Security probes links to Emwazi |work=Arab Times |date=3 March 2015}}</ref> In reaction to the revelation, Emwazi's father, Jassem, has said that he is ashamed of his son. Previously, when he learned from his son that he was going to Syria "for ]", Jassem had told him that he hoped he would be killed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11446598/Jihadi-John-Father-accuses-Mohammed-Emwazi-of-being-a-dog-and-terrorist.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11446598/Jihadi-John-Father-accuses-Mohammed-Emwazi-of-being-a-dog-and-terrorist.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Jihadi John: Father accuses Mohammed Emwazi of being a 'dog' and 'terrorist' |work=The Telegraph |date=3 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> But the day after the naming he issued a statement denying that his son was Jihadi John.<ref name=guapro /> An unidentified cousin issued a statement which said, "We hate him. We hope he will be killed soon. This will be good news for our family."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/213687/reftab/36/t/Security-probes-links-to-Emwazi/Default.aspx |title=Security probes links to Emwazi |work=Arab Times |date=3 March 2015}}</ref>


On 8 March 2015, according to '']'', Emwazi apologised to his family for "problems and trouble the revelation of his identity has caused" them. The message was conveyed via an unspecified third party.<ref>nypost.com 2015/03/07</ref> On 8 March 2015, according to '']'', Emwazi apologised for "problems and trouble the revelation of his identity has caused" his family, but he expressed no remorse for his victims. The message was conveyed via an unspecified third party.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/jihadi-john-apologizes-to-family-but-not-for-beheadings-393325 |title='Jihadi John' apologizes to family, but not for beheadings |work=] |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=2024-03-04}}</ref>


==Death== ==Death==
On 12 November 2015, two United States ]<ref name="Fox News">{{cite web|title=U.S. Airstrike Targets Notorious ISIS Militant 'Jihadi John'|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/13/us-airstrike-targets-notorious-isis-militant-jihadi-john/?intcmp=hpbt1|publisher=Fox News Channel|accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref> along with a British drone reportedly conducted an airstrike in Al-Raqqah that targeted Emwazi as he left a building and entered a vehicle.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34805924|title=Jihadi John: US air strike 'targets Mohammed Emwazi in Syria'|publisher=BBC News|date=13 November 2015|accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref> US officials stated he had been killed, but his death has not been confirmed and data was still being analysed.<ref name=ross>{{cite news |title='Jihadi John' Believed Killed in US Drone Strike, US Officials Say |url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/jihadi-john-believed-killed-us-drone-strike/story?id=35170345 |author=Brian Ross |publisher=] |date=12 November 2015 |accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="guardian1115"/> <ref>http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/628831/strikes-target-isil-executioner-other-terrorists-in-syria-iraq</ref> A senior US military official was quoted as saying, "we are 99% sure we got him."<ref name="Fox News" /> A U.S. official called it a "flawless" and "clean hit" with no collateral damage and that Emwazi was "evaporated."<ref name=ross/> On 12 November 2015, two United States ] along with a British drone conducted an airstrike in Raqqa. The target was Emwazi. The strike was timed while he was leaving a building and entering a vehicle.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34805924|title=Jihadi John: US air strike 'targets Mohammed Emwazi in Syria'|work=BBC News|date=13 November 2015|access-date=13 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Fox News">{{cite web|title=U.S. Airstrike Targets Notorious ISIS Militant 'Jihadi John'|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/13/us-airstrike-targets-notorious-isis-militant-jihadi-john/?intcmp=hpbt1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113190107/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/13/us-airstrike-targets-notorious-isis-militant-jihadi-john/?intcmp=hpbt1|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2015|work=Fox News Channel|access-date=13 November 2015}}</ref> A US official called it a "flawless" and "clean hit" with no collateral damage and that Emwazi was "evaporated."<ref name=ross/> US officials stated he had been killed,<ref name=ross>{{cite news |title='Jihadi John' Believed Killed in US Drone Strike, US Officials Say |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/jihadi-john-believed-killed-us-drone-strike/story?id=35170345 |author=Brian Ross |work=] |date=12 November 2015 |access-date=13 November 2015}}</ref> and a senior US military official was quoted as saying, "we are 99% sure we got him."<ref name="Fox News" /> On 14 December 2015, US President Barack Obama stated Emwazi had been "taken out".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/12/14/remarks-president-military-campaign-destroy-isil |title=Remarks by the President on the Military Campaign to Destroy ISIL |date=14 December 2015 |via=] |work=] |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>


UK Prime Minister ] stated the US and Britain had been working “hand in glove, round the clock” to track Emwazi's location, and that the drone strike was "an act of self-defence."<ref name="guardian1115"/> UK Prime Minister, ], stated the UK and the US had been working "hand in glove, round the clock" to track Emwazi's location, and that the drone strike was "an act of self-defence."<ref name="guardian1115"/><ref name=Chan>{{cite news|last1=Chan|first1=Sewell|last2=De Freytas-Tamura|first2=Kimiko|title=Pentagon Says 'Jihadi John' Was Probably Killed in Airstrike|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/14/world/europe/jihadi-john-mohammed-emwazi-david-cameron-statement.html?_r=0|access-date=14 November 2015|work=The New York Times|date=13 November 2015}}</ref>

On 19 January 2016, in the IS magazine '']'', the group confirmed that Emwazi had been killed by a drone strike in Raqqa.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/the-islamic-state-e2809cdacc84biq-magazine-13e280b3.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=17 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126152600/https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/the-islamic-state-e2809cdacc84biq-magazine-13e280b3.pdf |archive-date=26 November 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The obituary showed him unmasked and referred to him as Abu Muharib al-Muhajir.<ref name="cnn_obituary">{{Cite news |last=Ford |first=Dana |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve |date=20 January 2016 |title=ISIS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/19/middleeast/jihadi-john-dead/ |access-date=16 May 2018 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref name="indstr">{{cite news |last=Osborne |first=Samuel |last2=Austin |first2=Henry |date=20 January 2016 |title=Isis confirms 'Jihadi John' was killed in drone strike |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-confirms-jihadi-john-is-dead-a6822016.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-confirms-jihadi-john-is-dead-a6822016.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Further photographs showing him unmasked in Syria were released on 26 January 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|title =First pictures of 'Jihadi John' without mask in Syria|url = http://www.itv.com/news/2016-01-26/first-pictures-of-jihadi-john-unmasked-in-syria/|work = ITV News|date=26 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref>

==Later events==
In July 2017, German-based journalist ] published ''I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad'', which details the hunt to identify and kill Jihadi John, in part through her own investigations.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/souad-mekhennet-i-was-told-to-come-alone-my-journey-behind-the-lines-of-jihad |title=Souad Mekhennet's "I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad" |first=Alexis |last=Okeowo |date=20 June 2017 |access-date=14 April 2019 |journal=] }}</ref> She was the lead reporter of a story, published in ''The Washington Post'', that first revealed his true identity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://longreads.com/2017/08/16/how-a-journalist-uncovered-the-true-identity-of-jihadi-john/ |title=How a Journalist Uncovered the True Identity of Jihadi John |date=June 2017 |first=Souad |last=Mekhennet |publisher=Longreads |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829202927/https://longreads.com/2017/08/16/how-a-journalist-uncovered-the-true-identity-of-jihadi-john/ |archive-date=29 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In September 2017, ''The Telegraph'' released old video footage showing Mohammed Emwazi and other IS members relaxing unmasked and talking casually.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/25/inside-jihadi-johns-lair-britains-notorious-isil-terrorists/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/25/inside-jihadi-johns-lair-britains-notorious-isil-terrorists/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Inside Jihadi John's lair: Britain's most notorious Isil terrorists unmasked together for first time |work=The Telegraph |author=Josie Ensor |date=25 September 2017 |access-date=27 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
* ] *]
*], nicknamed "Jihadi Jack"
{{Portal bar|Biography|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Middle East|Terrorism}}
*]
*], another suspected British IS militant
{{Portal bar|Biography}}


==References== ==References==
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{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} {{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:John, Jihadi}}
{{Persondata
|NAME = Jihadi John
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES =Mohammed Emwazi
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = British ISIS member
|DATE OF BIRTH = 17 August 1988
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Al Jahra, Kuwait
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
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Latest revision as of 19:03, 20 December 2024

Kuwaiti-British militant and ISIS executioner (1988–2015)

Mohammed Emwazi
Emwazi wearing a mask in a video of a killing
BornMuhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri
(1988-08-17)17 August 1988
Al Jahra, Kuwait
Died12 November 2015(2015-11-12) (aged 27)
Raqqa, Syria
Cause of deathDrone strike
Other names"Mohammed Emwazi"
"John the Beatle"
"Jailer John"
Abu Abdullah al-Britani
Abu Muharib al-Yemeni
Mohammed al-Ayan
Muhammad ibn Muazzam
Mohammed Al-Zuhary
Abu Muharib al-Muhajir Jihadi John
CitizenshipBritish
EducationBSc (lower second-class honours) in Information Systems with Business Management from the University of Westminster (2009)
Known forIslamic State beheading incidents
Military career
Allegiance Al-Nusra Front (2012–13)
Islamic State (2013–15)
Years of service2012–2015
Battles / warsSyria

Mohammed Emwazi (born Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri; Arabic: محمد جاسم عبد الكريم عليان الظفيري;‎ 17 August 1988 – 12 November 2015) was a British militant of Kuwaiti origin seen in several videos produced by the Islamist extremist group Islamic State (IS) showing the beheadings of a number of captives in 2014 and 2015. A group of his hostages nicknamed him "John" since he was part of a four-person terrorist cell with English accents whom they called 'The Beatles'; the press later began calling him "Jihadi John".

On 12 November 2015, United States officials reported that Emwazi had been hit by a drone strike in Raqqa, Syria. His death was confirmed by IS in January 2016.

Early life

Emwazi was born Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri on 17 August 1988 in Kuwait as the eldest of five children to Jassem and Ghaneyah Emwazi. The family, who were Bidoon of Iraqi origin, lived in the Taima area of the town of Al Jahra, which was known as a "slumtown" where stateless people were ghettoized by the Kuwaiti government. They were undocumented, considered stateless and without Kuwaiti citizenship status. The family moved to the United Kingdom in 1994 when he was six. They settled in inner west London, moving between several properties in Maida Vale, including subsidised accommodation, later living in St John's Wood and finally in Queen's Park. Emwazi attended St Mary Magdalene Church of England primary school, and later Quintin Kynaston School. According to his former headteacher, Emwazi experienced some bullying at school.

In 2006, he went to the University of Westminster, studying Information Systems with Business Management. He secured a lower second-class Bachelor of Science honours degree on graduation three years later. At age 21, he worked as a salesman at an IT company in Kuwait and was considered by his boss as the best employee the company ever had.

At some point he became a British citizen. After he was granted UK citizenship, he started travelling back to Kuwait, as did his father.

Emwazi was known to MI5 years prior to his sightings in IS execution videos, having initially been suspected of having links to Al-Shabaab, and was repeatedly prevented from travelling back to Kuwait. The case prompted former British shadow home secretary David Davis to criticise the approach of UK intelligence services, noting "the numbers who appear to have 'slipped through the net'".

Nicknames

Emwazi was given the nickname "John" by a group of his hostages. The hostages said that he guarded Western hostages while handling communications with their families, and was part of a terrorist cell they called 'The Beatles' because the cell members all had British accents. The nickname refers to John Lennon of the Beatles; the three other group members were each given the first name of one of the other Beatles.

The nicknames "Jihadi John", "Jailer John" and "John the Beatle" were created by journalists. "Jihadi John" was used on 20 August 2014 in the conservative magazine The Spectator in a piece titled "Jihadi John – a very British export" by Douglas Murray, a frequent critic of Islam, and soon after joined by the BBC and other sources.

Victims

See also: Islamic State beheading incidents

The following are reported victims of Jihadi John:

James Foley

Main article: James Foley (journalist)

In a video uploaded to YouTube on 19 August 2014, Foley read a prepared statement criticising the United States, the recent airstrikes in Iraq, and his brother who serves in the US Air Force. Emwazi, wearing a mask, also read a prepared statement in which he criticised the US and President Barack Obama and made demands to cease the 2014 American-led intervention in Iraq. The masked man then beheaded Foley off-camera, after which he threatened to behead Steven Sotloff if his demands were not met. The FBI and US National Security Council confirmed that the video, which included footage of Foley's beheaded corpse, was genuine.

Steven Sotloff

Main article: Steven Sotloff

On 2 September 2014, a video was released reportedly showing American journalist Steven Sotloff's beheading by Emwazi. The White House confirmed the video's authenticity.

David Haines

Main article: David Haines (aid worker)

On 13 September 2014, a video, directed at British Prime Minister David Cameron, was released, showing British hostage aid worker David Haines being beheaded by Emwazi.

Alan Henning

Main article: Alan Henning

On 3 October 2014, a video released by IS showed Emwazi beheading British aid worker Alan Henning. Henning, a taxi driver from Salford, Greater Manchester, had volunteered to deliver aid to Syria. He was kidnapped in Al-Dana, an area held then by IS, on 27 December 2013.

Peter Kassig

Main article: Peter Kassig

On 16 November 2014 a video was posted by IS of Emwazi standing over a severed head, which the White House confirmed was that of Peter Kassig. Kassig's actual beheading was not shown, and unlike earlier hostage beheading videos he did not make a statement. There has been speculation that, faced with the prospect of being beheaded, he may have resisted and been shot dead: a senior surgeon performed a detailed examination of the video and saw possible evidence of a gunshot wound.

Syrian soldiers

The video that ended with a shot of Kassig's severed head showed the beheadings of a number of Syrian soldiers in gruesome detail, by a group led by a masked Emwazi. It was said by the BBC that, unlike previous videos, this one shows the faces of many of the militants, indicates the location as being Dabiq in Aleppo Province, and that this video "revels in gore." Unlike previous videos that cut away without showing the killing, Emwazi is shown beheading a victim. Initially, the number killed was variously reported as at least 12, or 18. Subsequent analysis by the Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium and UK-based counter-extremism think tank Quilliam concluded that 22 captive soldiers were executed.

Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto

Main article: Kenji Goto

Haruna Yukawa, age 42, was captured sometime before August 2014. Kenji Goto, age 47, was captured sometime in October 2014 while trying to rescue Yukawa. In January 2015, a threat was issued that they would be killed unless the Japanese government paid a ransom of US$200 million. Yukawa was beheaded on 24 January, and Goto on 31 January 2015.

Analysis of videos

Officially the FBI and US National Security Council confirmed that the James Foley video, which ended with footage of a beheaded corpse, was genuine. David Cameron and the British Foreign Office also confirmed the authenticity of the video showing the death of David Haines.

An unnamed forensics expert commissioned by The Times to look at the James Foley video said, "I think it has been staged. My feeling is that the murder may have happened after the camera was stopped." The Times concluded that "No one is questioning that the photojournalist James Foley was beheaded, but camera trickery and slick post-production techniques appear to have been used." Two unnamed video specialists in the International Business Times of Australia claimed that portions of the video appeared to be staged and edited. James Alvarez, a British-American hostage negotiator, also claimed the James Foley video was "expertly staged", with the use of two separate cameras and a clip-on microphone attached to Foley's orange jumpsuit. Jeff Smith, associate director of the CU Denver National Center for Media Forensics in the US, said "What's most interesting is that the actual beheading that takes place in the videos, both of them are staged."

British analyst Eliot Higgins (Brown Moses) published photographic and video forensic evidence suggesting that the James Foley video was taken at a spot in the hills south of the Syrian city of Raqqa.

Identification and manhunt

See also: The Beatles (terrorist cell)

Search for identity and early speculation

See also: United Kingdom and the Islamic State and Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary

"Jihadi John" became the subject of a manhunt by the FBI, MI5, and Scotland Yard. In his videos, "Jihadi John" concealed his identity by covering himself from head to toe in black, except for tan desert boots, with a mask that left only his eyes visible. Despite this, several facts about "Jihadi John" could be ascertained from both videos. He spoke with an apparent London or southern England accent. In both videos, he was seen to sport a pistol in a leather shoulder holster under his left shoulder, typical of right-handed people, but his actions in the videos suggest he is left-handed.

Other factors that could have led to his identification were his height, general physique, the pattern of veins on the back of his hands, his voice and clothes. A team of analysts might use the topography of the landscape in the video in an attempt to identify the location. On 24 August 2014, the British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Peter Westmacott, said that Britain was very close to identifying "Jihadi John" using sophisticated voice recognition technology, but when pressed, refused to disclose any other details.

On 20 September 2014, the United States Senate approved a US$10 million reward for information that led to the capture of anyone involved in the murders of James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Cawthorne Haines. On 20 November, the bill, extending the potential scope of the reward program to any American kidnapped and murdered by a "foreign terrorist organization" and limiting the reward to a maximum of US$5 million, was referred to the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

On 14 September British Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that the identity of "Jihadi John" was known but had yet to be revealed.

On 25 September, FBI Director James Comey told reporters that they had identified the suspect, but did not give information regarding the man's identity or nationality. "I believe that we have identified him. I'm not going to tell you who I believe it is," Comey stated. Michael Ryan, an author and scholar from the Middle East Institute speculated, "maybe 98 percent or 95 percent sure is not sure enough to put a man's name out."

In August 2014, The Sunday Times reported that Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary ("L Jinny"), 23, a hip-hop musician from West London, had "emerged as a key suspect" in the investigation. Other sources also stated that Abu Hussain Al-Britani, 20, a computer hacker from Birmingham, and Abu Abdullah al-Britani, in his 20s from Portsmouth, were suspects.

Mohammed Emwazi

On 26 February 2015, The Washington Post identified the perpetrator as Mohammed Emwazi, a British man then in his mid-20s who was born in Kuwait and grew up in west London. The Washington Post investigation was undertaken by Souad Mekhennet and Adam Goldman.

According to his student card from the University of Westminster, Emwazi was born on 17 August 1988.

The BBC stated that Emwazi is believed to be "an associate of a former UK control order suspect ... who travelled to Somalia in 2006 and is allegedly linked to a facilitation and funding network for Somali militant group al-Shabab." He reportedly prayed on occasion at a mosque in Greenwich. He graduated with a degree in Information Systems with Business Management from the University of Westminster in 2009. His last known UK address was in Queen's Park, North London.

The Post reported interviews with Emwazi's friends indicating that Emwazi was radicalised after a planned safari to Tanzania following his graduation. According to the interviews, Emwazi and two friends, a German convert to Islam named Omar and another man, Abu Talib, never made the safari. Rather, upon landing in Dar es Salaam in May 2009, the three were detained, held overnight by police, and eventually deported. In May 2010, The Independent reported on the episode, identifying Emwazi as Muhammad ibn Muazzam. According to e-mails sent by Emwazi to Asim Qureshi, the research director of the human rights group Cage, and that were provided to the Post, after leaving Tanzania, Emwazi flew to Amsterdam, where he claimed that an MI5 officer accused him of attempting to go to Somalia, where al-Shabab operates. Emwazi denied attempting to reach Somalia, but a former hostage told the Post that "Jihadi John was obsessed with Somalia" and forced captives to watch videos about al-Shabab. Tanzanian officials have denied that they detained and deported Emwazi at the request of MI5, saying instead that he had been refused entry for being drunk and abusive.

Later, Emwazi and his friends were permitted to return to Britain, where Emwazi met with Qureshi in late 2009. The Post quoted Qureshi as saying that Emwazi was "incensed" at the way he had been treated. Emwazi moved to Kuwait shortly afterward, where (according to emails he wrote to Qureshi), he worked for a computer company. Emwazi returned to London twice, however, and, on the second visit, he made plans to wed a woman in Kuwait.

In June 2010, Emwazi was detained by counter-terrorism officials in Britain, who searched and fingerprinted him, and blocked him from returning to Kuwait. In an email four months later to Qureshi, Emwazi expressed sympathy for Aafia Siddiqui who had just been sentenced in US federal court for assault and attempted murder. Qureshi said he last heard from Emwazi when Emwazi sought advice from him in January 2012. Close friends of Emwazi interviewed by the Post said that he was "desperate to leave the country" and one friend stated that Emwazi unsuccessfully tried to travel to Saudi Arabia to teach English in 2012. Sometime after January 2012, Emwazi travelled to Syria, where he apparently contacted his family and at least one of his friends.

In March 2015, the media reported that his mother had recognised Jihadi John's voice as her son's; meanwhile, his father denied that this had happened or that Emwazi was Jihadi John.

Reactions

United States President Barack Obama condemned the actions of "Jihadi John" and vowed punishment for all the militants responsible for the videotaped beheadings. US Secretary of State John Kerry also called "Jihadi John" a "coward behind a mask" and, echoing Obama, stated that all those responsible would be held accountable by the United States. British officials have also reiterated their commitment to capturing "Jihadi John". Admiral Alan West, a former UK Minister for Security and Counter-terrorism, said that he is a "dead man walking" who will be "hunted down" like Osama bin Laden. Prime Minister David Cameron also stated that he was absolutely certain that Jihadi John would "one way or another, face justice", and he also condemned the actions of "Jihadi John". UK Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, and Secretary General of Interpol Ronald Noble also stated that Jihadi John should be brought to justice.

Reacting to the naming of Emwazi by the media, a representative for the Sotloff family told the BBC that they would wish to see Emwazi imprisoned. Bethany Haines, daughter of David, said "It's a good step but I think all the families will feel closure and relief once there's a bullet between his eyes."

Lord Carlile, a former independent reviewer of UK anti-terror laws, said, "Had control orders been in place, in my view there is a realistic prospect that Mohammed Emwazi, and at least two of his associates, would have been the subject of control orders with a compulsory relocation."

In reaction to the revelation, Emwazi's father, Jassem, has said that he is ashamed of his son. Previously, when he learned from his son that he was going to Syria "for jihad", Jassem had told him that he hoped he would be killed. But the day after the naming he issued a statement denying that his son was Jihadi John. An unidentified cousin issued a statement which said, "We hate him. We hope he will be killed soon. This will be good news for our family."

On 8 March 2015, according to The Sunday Times, Emwazi apologised for "problems and trouble the revelation of his identity has caused" his family, but he expressed no remorse for his victims. The message was conveyed via an unspecified third party.

Death

On 12 November 2015, two United States drone aircraft along with a British drone conducted an airstrike in Raqqa. The target was Emwazi. The strike was timed while he was leaving a building and entering a vehicle. A US official called it a "flawless" and "clean hit" with no collateral damage and that Emwazi was "evaporated." US officials stated he had been killed, and a senior US military official was quoted as saying, "we are 99% sure we got him." On 14 December 2015, US President Barack Obama stated Emwazi had been "taken out".

UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, stated the UK and the US had been working "hand in glove, round the clock" to track Emwazi's location, and that the drone strike was "an act of self-defence."

On 19 January 2016, in the IS magazine Dabiq, the group confirmed that Emwazi had been killed by a drone strike in Raqqa. The obituary showed him unmasked and referred to him as Abu Muharib al-Muhajir. Further photographs showing him unmasked in Syria were released on 26 January 2016.

Later events

In July 2017, German-based journalist Souad Mekhennet published I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad, which details the hunt to identify and kill Jihadi John, in part through her own investigations. She was the lead reporter of a story, published in The Washington Post, that first revealed his true identity.

In September 2017, The Telegraph released old video footage showing Mohammed Emwazi and other IS members relaxing unmasked and talking casually.

See also

Portal:

References

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