A video released by the Islamic State that purports to show the execution of five “British spies” should be treated as “propaganda”, a spokesperson for the prime minister has said.
In the video, a masked man, dubbed the “new Jihadi John” by the tabloid press for his British accent, threatens to launch attacks in the UK and says that the video should serve as a warning to David Cameron.
He goes on to say:
“We will continue to wage jihad, break borders and one day invade your land where we will rule by the Sharia.”
The five men alleged to be “British spies” in the video say they are from Syria and Libya, and are executed by gunshot to the back of the head.
British intelligence agencies are examining the unverified footage, working to identify the masked man in the video and the location it was filmed.
The video is the latest in a surge of videos released by the group since it lost control of Ramadi to Iraqi forces backed by air strikes from the US-led coalition.
IS continues to be a threat both in the Middle East and beyond, but in recent months they have failed to find the military successes demanded by their ideology, and the videos are an attempt to increase recruits to try and stem the losses on the battlefield.
