Guardian: Islamic State militants seize four more foreign hostages in Syria

[flamingdem]

Source: The Guardian

Jihadists flush with arms and relying on shock tactics abduct Europeans and Japanese national as US strikes continue

Flush with looted weapons, buoyed by sweeping gains in Syria and eager to shock, Islamic State militants have seized four more foreign hostages near Aleppo in recent days, taking to more than 20 the number of foreigners they now hold.

The latest captives, two Italian women, a Dane and a Japanese national, were seized in or near Syria's largest city. All held are either reporters, photographers or aid workers taken near Aleppo or Idlib. They have been subsequently moved to Raqqa, the Isis stronghold in north Syria.

The abductions have controversially proved good business for Islamic radicals. In the past six months at least 10 hostages, including a Dane, three French nationals and two Spaniards, were freed after lengthy negotiations with captors, who demanded ransoms. Some organisations have insisted on information blackouts about nationals still being held.

One former hostage said the suspected killer who appeared in the recent video, apparently murdering the US journalist James Foley, was one of three Britons who had guarded him in Raqqa. He said the man had been responsible for negotiating hostage releases, dealing with families of captives via email.



Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/islamic-state-isis-foreign-hostages-syria-aleppo?CMP=twt_gu

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Very much recommended to read the entire article for the latest on the situation in Syria.

[flamingdem]

1. A guest on the Ed Show just gave a chilling assessment of the Isis threat

He said that they have a safe haven in Syria and we cannot get in there because of the US relationship with Assad (obviously). I am wondering if Iraq is a throwaway for them. If Isis locks up Syria as their home base, and they seem to have the strength to do so (see article) then from there they can come back at Iraq.

Their recruiting efforts are key and there is an endless supply of disaffected young men who need jobs and / or are forced into their group. They are recruiting in Africa and as the article says there are thousands in Europe who are willing to join.

So it's not as simple as bomb Iraq. Ed started the show with that simple sentiment. Nope, not enough.

[Iliyah]

2. Pissing off the rest of the world is a doomsday scenario

which rest solely on their heads. I'm assuming dying is their ultimate goal to paradise.

[flamingdem]

3. I guess we could see it that way

and feel fortunate they're into cutting off heads rather than nuclear annihilation or some such.

[customerserviceguy]

4. The Europeans will pay ransom

Not sure about the Japanese.

They finance their activities from these ransoms, just like the Somali pirates do. The reason Foley was offed is that the US government wouldn't pay a ransom for him.

Moral of the story: If you're a "journalist", get your ass out of that area. No 'story' is worth being beheaded in public for your family to watch.

[flamingdem]

5. Cnn just discussing that the Europeans need to admit to the ransom

payments in public and the US needs to figure out how to handle this increasing threat.

Agree it's not that smart to be over there. Foley had already been in captivity. At that point, sorry but the Christian god will save me thing is not a good idea in Syria. That was his belief system.

Also, sure you've seen the news that they attempted to rescue him, no one died but there was an injury. And for sure it was expensive!

[customerserviceguy]

8. We have only two choices

Pursue this like WWII, where we were willing to firebomb Dresden and nuke two whole Japanese cities to win the war (of course, we won't do that kind of fighting ever again, Korea and Vietnam already proved that) or just get the hell out of the Islamic world's way as they go to it among their various factions. That means no Americans anywhere over there, for 'humanitarian' reasons or not.

As soon as ISIS, or ISIL, or whatever the media calls them next week meets the Shiites of Iran, there will be a mighty war. Let's make sure we don't interfere with it, because we sure as hell can't do anything about it except get our own people killed.

It's what the Chinese did five hundred years ago when Catholics and Protestants were torturing each other in Europe.

[Steerpike]

6. Anyone traveling to this area (The Middle East)

Should make sure their affairs are in order, and their will is kept in a safe dry place.

[flamingdem]

7. At this point it becomes unfair to US soldiers because they'll be oblidged

to get them out of a jam.

Unless the US starts to pay ransom like the Europeans.. I'm sure that would make the macho Isis Muslims do a happy dance.