The terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Tuesday released a video that appears to show the beheading of American journalist Steven Joel Sotloff.
The White House was not immediately able to confirm the authenticity of the video. ISIS had threatened to execute the 31-year-old freelance journalist if President Obama did not withdraw American forces from Iraq.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the administration had been watching the situation closely and has “dedicated significant time and resources to trying” to rescue the American journalist.
He also pledged the new video “will be analyzed very carefully by the U.S. government” and its intelligence services.
“Our thoughts and prayers first and foremost are with Mr. Sotloff and Mr. Sotloff’s family,” Earnest said.
Last week, Sotloff’s mother pleaded in a video for ISIS militants to release her son.
“I want what every mother wants: to live to see her children’s children. I plead with you to grant me this,” she said.
