ISIS militant responsible for the execution of two American journalists and two British aid workers known as “Jihadi John” was reportedly located in Syria in the city of Raqqa, the militant’s stronghold in Eastern Syria.
Drones put in place by the British Special Forces have managed to track the militant but officials claim that any operation to kill or capture him could be suicidal for the time being.
Drones have also spotted hostages wearing orange jumpsuits and noted that the positions are very well defensed, making a kill or capture mission nearly impossible.
The Defense Ministry has been advised that a sustained bombing campaign over several weeks would be more effective.
The Daily Mail reported: “The imagery from the drones and satellites is instructive but IS infrastructure in Raqqa would have to be targeted over a sustained period to make any sort of raid a realistic possibility. On the basis of our current advice there is very little chance of the Prime Minister signing off a rescue bid. The prospect of success has got to be 100 per cent or thereabouts, and at the moment it is nowhere near that. And for now there are not many other options on the table.”
“While sightings of Jihadi John are useful, as was establishing his identity, we are still a long way off getting a hit on him. Right now a raid would be suicidal.”
Jihadi John appeared on videos released by ISIS speaking in a British accent. He is believed to be a British citizen. British Intelligence forces have identified the ISIS executioner, but decided not to disclose his identity.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to send in special forces troops to capture the ISIS militant, adding that he would not wait for an approval from the parliamentary to order an operation to capture or kill him.
The Moroccan Times.
