This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.

"Jihadi John" Hit By US Drone Strike; "We're 99% Sure We Got Him," Pentagon Says

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Ever since Russia began flying combat missions from Latakia there’s been enormous pressure on Washington to prove that the US is serious about fighting terror and more specifically, about fighting ISIS. 

The optics around Moscow’s strikes have been a veritable nightmare for the US. The steady barrage of videos released by the Russian Defense Ministry seem to depict a successful air campaign (although it’s impossible to assess exactly what the clips show) and one that’s done far more damage in the space of 45 days than the US campaign has done in the space of 13 months. One problem of course is that Russia has a ground force in the Iranians and Hezbollah and the cooperation between air and ground seems to be far more robust than what Washington has been able to accomplish with Kurds. 

So, in a last ditch effort to avoid complete humiliation, The Pentagon first prepared the US public for the deployment of spec ops (by releasing helmet cam footage of an ISIS prison raid) and then tried to float the idea of sending Apache gunships to Baghdad. When Baghdad rejected that strategy, The White House said it would send 50 spec ops to Syria and now, in conjunction with the Kurds, the US is attempting to take back the Northern Iraqi town of Sinjar which ISIS captured more than a year ago before terrorizing the local Yazidi population. This operation has received an enormous amount of Western media coverage over the past several days. 

Well now, in the latest effort by Washington to prove to an increasingly skeptical world that the US can (or is willing) to bring something to the fight, the US says it has probably killed “Jihadi John,” the ISIS member and Kuwaiti-born Brit who became famous after appearing a number of videos depicting the beheading of Westerners.

Here’s BBC:

US forces have carried out an air strike targeting the Islamic State group militant "Jihadi John", with a "high degree of certainty" he was hit.

 

PM David Cameron said targeting Mohammed Emwazi was "the right thing to do".

 


 

It is believed there was one other person in the vehicle targeted in the attack near Raqqa, in Syria.

 

Speaking outside Downing Street, Mr Cameron said it had not yet been confirmed whether the strike had been successful.

 

But if it had been, "it will be a strike at the heart of Isil [Islamic State] and it will demonstrate to those that would do

 

Britain, our people and allies harm we have a long reach, we have unwavering determination and we never forget about our citizens".

 

He described Emwazi as an "ongoing and serious threat" to civilians around the world, particularly in Syria and the UK.

 

"He was Isil's lead executioner and let us not forget he killed many, many Muslims too, and he was intent on murdering many more people.

 

"So this was an act of self-defence."

 

The prime minister added that his thoughts were with the families of those "who were so brutally murdered".

 

A senior US military source says the strike involved two MQ9 Reaper drones and took place at 20:50 GMT on Thursday.

 

Another US senior military source said there was a "high degree of certainty" Emwazi had been killed.

And here’s Fox:

The Pentagon said late Thursday it had launched an airstrike in Syria targeting "Jihadi John", a British national seen in videos depicting the beheading of hostages held by ISIS.

 

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook confirmed that the airstrike in Raqqa was directed at the notorious militant, also known as Mohamed Emwazi. It was not immediately clear whether Emwazi died in the airstrike, but a senior U.S. military official told Fox News, "we are 99 percent sure we got him." The Pentagon was monitoring the aftermath of the strike before making a definitive announcement.

 

A senior U.S. defense official told Fox News that a drone was used in the airstrike. According to a senior military source, the drone had been tracking Emwazi for most of the day Thursday while he met with other people. The source said the strike took place shortly after Emwazi came out of a building in Raqqa, when he was "ID'd and engaged."

 

Sky News, citing sources inside Raqqa, reported that Emwazi was badly hurt in the air strike but still alive when he was brought to the hospital there. Later, however, the same sources said the hospital was sealed off to the public. Locals say the hospital is usually closed when an ISIS figure is killed, which allows the group to go on social media and claim he is still alive.

We suppose Emwazi didn't end up leaving the group due to concerns that "jealous" militants would kill him (see here) after all. 

So we'll await confirmation here and indeed if Emwazi did make it to the hospital we may never get it.

At this point, with everything we know about the support Washington's regional allies have provided to Sunni militants like Emwazi, it's difficult to determine how to assess these types of stories. That is, when you foment discord on the way to creating civil war (and again, you don't have to believe the US created ISIS to believe that the US did indeed participate in stirring up the sectarian hornet's nest and that Washington's "friends" in Riyadh and Doha not to mention Ankara probably did assist Islamic State in one form or another), groups like ISIS invariably emerge, so when you go back and you kill them, you're just putting down the Frankenstein you helped to create. Does Wasington deserve a pat on the back for that? We don't know.

But what we do know is that targeting a single high profile ISIS member to grab a headline or two isn't going to cut it. Not while Russia and Iran are staging assaults on major Syrian cities. 

Finally, it's worth noting that based on The Intercept's "drone papers", which reveal that nearly 90% of people killed in strikes are not the intended target, the above, if verified, would represent a small miracle for the US drone program - we wonder how much "collateral damage" there might have been.

 

- advertisements -

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:23 | 6786225 MrBoompi
MrBoompi's picture

Just more propaganda from anonymous Pentagon sources, aka the CIA.  Now they are so desperate they have to fake news stories about actually fighting ISIS, who are actually our covert allies.  Jihadi John, or whoever the hell this British actor was, is most likely MI6 and is having a cup of coffee somewhere, laughing at the reports of his demise.  

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:13 | 6786437 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

 

Waa waa

Aparently Putin can hit civilians, textile factories and Iranian generals -- but he should leave killing ISIS and the real assholes to us...

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:24 | 6786229 2muchtax
2muchtax's picture

If I were a fictional character I'd be worried right now. The boogie man should avoid public places.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:31 | 6786240 Albertarocks
Albertarocks's picture

DATELINE: DECEMBER 3, 2015

Dmitrious Cumber, the actor best known for portraying infamous Middle East bad boy, "Jihadi John", provided a colorful in-studio interview with BBC this morning.  According to Cumber, "They didn't got me bro.  Why would they 'get me', my contract was for 4 years.  I don't understand why the public thinks Jihadi John is real."

When asked why he agreed to the inteview, the likable Cumber replied: "Well basically it was because the Pentagon bounced another cheque on me.  I told them the first time, "If you assholes bounce another cheque on me, you're gonna have to find yourselves another actor."  They agreed totally, but three mumfs later they bounced another one.  I realize they're really short of funding, but don't bounce a cheque on Dmitrious Cumber, motherfuckers."

The well dressed Cumber was surprisingly jovial, sharing a few jokes and several laughs with interviewer Sarah Montague, agreeing to meet with Ms. Montague for lunch next Friday.  Location was not disclosed, although speculation is rampant that the mutual attraction may develop into a longer term personal relationship.  Jeremy Paxon speculates "I suspect Sarah is planning to fuck that boy silly."

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:56 | 6786356 Savyindallas
Savyindallas's picture

Well, maybe we didn't kill a terrorist, Another crisis actor? Besides we can't kill off Jihadi John   - he's under contract to play himself as a super hero in Hollywood's next Expendibles movie. 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:11 | 6786428 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

 

Nice...

Dmitrious Cumber, No such person exists. 

Nice job...

 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:31 | 6786250 man of Wool
man of Wool's picture

The CIA probably staged this so JJ can disappear and get himself off the 20 most wanted list or whatever.. I expect he has pissed off back to Kuwait. Kuwait the silent partner.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:37 | 6786275 Billy Sol Estes
Billy Sol Estes's picture

He will respawn in 30 seconds. The middle east is just a video game any ways.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:44 | 6786304 Who was that ma...
Who was that masked man's picture

But I thought "Jihadi John" was John Kerry.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:07 | 6786413 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

But everybody thought you were a moron...

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 15:46 | 6787599 Who was that ma...
Who was that masked man's picture

Yeah, you're right.  Kerry is FAR more dangerous to America than Jihad John

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:45 | 6786307 _SILENCER
_SILENCER's picture

It's hard out there for a pimp, or in this case, a CIA lackey.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:51 | 6786335 headhunt
headhunt's picture

Too quick of a death - he needed raped, tortured and then beheaded - just to keep within ISIS belief system

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 10:51 | 6786338 Savyindallas
Savyindallas's picture

We killed a terrorist! We killed a terrorist! Hot Dam-I knew we could do it!

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA! Can't wait for the Olympics -Lebron james, Chris Paul, Steph Curry  - we're going to destroy those Russians. 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:05 | 6786399 madashellron
madashellron's picture

Ok, ok we believe you, you lying sacks of shit.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:09 | 6786421 spanish inquisition
spanish inquisition's picture

Film of actual strike posted by Rita Katz the day before./ Sarc

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:16 | 6786450 juicy_bananas
juicy_bananas's picture

Tits or GTFO.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:17 | 6786454 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

 

Look at all the Pootrolls cry!

Hey geniuses, looks like Friday the 13th is not good for business if you'e an ISIS asshole. 

No virgins for Jihadi John. The Reaper team(s) were probably women!!!!

BBBWWWAAAAHHHAAAA!!!!! 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:20 | 6786469 Lostinfortwalton
Lostinfortwalton's picture

They almost broadcast the old "We killed Osama bin Laden" script but an alert gofer caught it in time.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:24 | 6786479 pocomotion
pocomotion's picture

So little J.J. was a Pittsburgh Pirate fan.  I say it's time to bring on a woman bad ass this next buggy ugly scare me thrice time.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:35 | 6786511 TheSkipper1967
TheSkipper1967's picture

Don't fear the Reaper...

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:43 | 6786527 Buster Cherry
Buster Cherry's picture

How much did that missle cost to kill that man?

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 22:12 | 6790124 Hope Copy
Hope Copy's picture

Hellfire.. I calculated the cost of the new order some time back  and depending on the delivery it could be  $64K plus $14K for the R option..  (2010)  and sort of depends on what further production is going to cost and the maintenance contract..  Don't you love that?  I'm sure that since the Russians where able to 'watch' the entire ordeal, that Hellfire III is now on the drawing boards, or at-least a software upgrade, so through out the low figure.. add at least 20%...[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/3567M-for-Hellfire-II-Missiles-05043...]..   Javelins are about twice as much.... and the Russians got a truck load July 2014, or at least some of that truckload.. poor old 'Batman'.. shouldn't have negotiated so hard with that former general.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 11:48 | 6786549 me or you
me or you's picture

I doubt he ever existed.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 12:06 | 6786623 Perfecthedge
Perfecthedge's picture

Jihadi John (more like a name of a middle eastern pizza franchise)

I can help the CIA with the next bad guy! How about:

Quran Karl

Islami Jennifer (this is a transgender one, for fun and giggles - news anchors still have to be serious!)

Allah Amadeus (he kills with a violin! Strangles his victims with the strings and afterwards plays the piano like a mad man)

Mosque Michael (he wears a mechanic coverall and uses a wrench to kill. He is also a Nascar racer!)

Muslim Matthew (he is white, studied in Westminster and is now a Professor for Arts in Berlin. He also likes to fuck dolls.)

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 12:31 | 6786734 MrTown3
MrTown3's picture

100% sure he's still alive.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 13:16 | 6786898 roadhazard
roadhazard's picture

This article would have gotten better play had Pootin done it.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 16:40 | 6787931 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

 

And then all the Pootrolls would have to abandon all this "CIA operative" bullshit and start jumping up and down about the "glorious Mother Russian Air Force flown by Putin himself (without shirt) killing dastardly ISIS dogs like ... well dogs..."

The shit around here is hilarious...

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 13:41 | 6786984 fightapathy
fightapathy's picture

Let's see the fucking body. No Osama bin Laden bullshit. Show us the fucking body.

 

---what the hell am I saying?! This guy was always wearing a mask!! Only his CIA handler knows WHO was playing that character week from week.

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 14:04 | 6787079 thebigunit
thebigunit's picture

Good. 

"Jihadi John" Hit By US Drone Strike; "We're 99% Sure We Got Him," Pentagon Says

I never liked the guy.

 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 15:55 | 6787644 highwaytoserfdom
highwaytoserfdom's picture

this  Osama bin Laden boogie man crap is real old..  RELEASE THE 28 PAGES ON 911  and drag the A$$es of treasonous offensive war mongers to jail. 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 16:39 | 6787925 prymythirdeye
prymythirdeye's picture

Hahahahah, jesus, you're killing me.  The absurdity gets kicked up another level.  So are we talking about the same Jihadi John who took part in all those fake "beheadings?"

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 18:45 | 6788716 Youri Carma
Youri Carma's picture

The Russians defenitely hit a Jihadi Joe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZQRsUQVSHE

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 19:00 | 6788801 nnnnnn
nnnnnn's picture

 

 

 

cia creates boogeyman

cia kills boogeyman

 

 

 

Fri, 11/13/2015 - 21:45 | 6789980 Hope Copy
Hope Copy's picture

Thank you Moscow...  (,but never-the less, this is so lame).

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!