British Hostage John Cantlie Delivers Message For Islamic State In Latest Video

The Islamic State released another video on Thursday, Sept 18. This time its British hostage John Cantlie was used to send its message to the world.

The latest video was deleted by YouTube but posted on another video sharing website. Cantlie who has been missing for two years is the "face" of the Islamic State in the video. The U.S. journalist wore orange clothes just like what IS' earlier victims donned in their execution video. Cantlie says that he is going to convey a number of messages on IS' behalf in the coming days. He sits with a dark backdrop and delivers the propaganda of the Middle Eastern militant group. He accepts in the video that he is pressured by the Islamic State to convey the message on behalf of the group.

Cantlie introduces himself as a journalist who used to work in some of the "bigger" magazines and newspapers in the UK, including The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sunday Telegraph. He says that he went to Syria in November 2012. Interestingly, he uses the word "came" instead of "went" while talking about his visit to Syria, which apparently indicate that he was still in that country while the video was made. Cantlie also says that he was captured by the Islamic State which has since expanded in the eastern part of Syria and the western part of Iraq. The American journalist mentions the "expansion" of the Islamic State over the past two years. He says that the "land mass" of the area captured by IS is bigger than "Britain and many other states."

Thereafter, Cantlie becomes a bit more animated and explains his stand. "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking 'he's only doing this because he's a prisoner. He's got a gun at his head and he's being forced to do this. Right? Well, it's true," he says, "I am a prisoner. That I cannot deny but seeing as I've been abandoned by my government and my fate now lies in the hands of the Islamic State, I have nothing to lose. Maybe I'll live. Maybe I will die." He says that he wants to clarify some "facts" which the viewers can "verify."

Cantlie says that the U.S. government is getting involved in another war situation which it cannot win. The 3-minute something video appears to be the introduction of a number of upcoming video which will reveal the "truth" about the Islamic State.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au