Journalist’s murder - Depraved

The beheading of an American reporter by Islamic fanatics is a chilling reminder of the danger experienced by journalists in the world’s war zones.

A video released by the Islamic State (IS) shows the beheading of journalist James Foley and threatens the life of another American if US President Barack Obama doesn’t end military operations in Iraq. In the video, Foley is seen kneeling next to a man in black, believed to be a British national. Foley reads a message, presumably scripted by his captors, that his “real killer’’ is America. He is then shown being beheaded.

While the horrifying video was seen by millions in the West, YouTube acted swiftly to have it taken down.

IS has carried out executions, including beheadings, as part of its plan to establish an Islamic caliphate that stretches from Syria into Iraq.

The depraved murder of an innocent man shows the ruthlessness of IS and there is little doubt that, if it becomes established in Syria and Iraq, it could launch terrorist attacks against western targets.