Britain’s Foreign office declared that the video showing the beheading of David Haines, the British captive, is authentic. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, praised Haines as a hero, and he vowed to continue his efforts to hunt “down those responsible and bring them to justice no matter how long it takes.”
The gruesome video was released on Saturday by the Islamic State (also known as ISIL or ISIS). The video was entitled “A Message to the Allies of America” and in it, Haines is forced to read a statement directed to the British prime minister.
“My name is David Cawthorne Haines. I Would like to declare that I hold you, David Cameron, entirely responsible for my execution (…) You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the U.S. against the Islamic State, just as your predecessor Tony Blair did, following a trend amongst our British prime ministers who can’t find the courage to say no to the Americans.”
In the video, an Islamic State militant, with his face covered, threatened Cameron over his alliance with the U.S. (referring to it as evil). This video follows the same pattern as two previous ones in which U.S. journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley are executed. But the cruelty doesn’t stop here. Right before the video ends, the Islami militant also shows a second British hostage, Alan Henning. He threatens to have the 47-year-old taxi driver killed in response to Britain’s new allies.
David Cameron reacted quickly to this video.
“Today the whole country will want to express its deep sympathy for David Haines’ family.” – Prime Minister David Cameron
The Prime Minister also added that the country cannot ignore this threat. He declared that the Islamic State forces will be driven back, dismantled and, ultimately destroyed.
‘They are no Muslims. They are monsters.”
Britain and the United States are working together to obliterate the militant group through assistance given to the Iraqi military. They have also helped Peshmerga, the Kurdish fighting forces from northern Iraq. Britain has yet to join the United States in airstrikes, but the Prime Minister is under growing pressure because of this.
On Sunday, Haines’s brother also released a statement in which he expressed his love and regret.
“My name is Mike Haines, I am brother of David Haines who was recently murdered in cold blood. David was most alive and enthusiastic in his humanitarian roles.”
David Haines, 44, was the father of two. He was abducted in Syria, where he was collaborating with the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development to offer humanitarian help to refugees. The killing of David Haines was condemned by many of Britain’s Muslim communities. Dr. Qari Asim, of the Makakh Mosque in Leeds said that his burning passion to help people in conflict zones will live in and inspire future generations.
