Islamic State: After France Rejects Call To Stop Air Raids In Iraq, IS Beheads Frenchman Herve Gourdel

It's an eye-for-an-eye and a tooth-for-a-tooth law in the ongoing war with the Islamic State (IS) on one side and the US-led coalition on the other side. After France, a member of the coalition, refused to stop its air strikes in Iraq, the IS beheaded a Frenchman, Herve Gourdel, whom it kidnapped in Algeria on Sunday.

Gourdel, 55, was kidnaped while hiking at the Djurdjura National Park by Jund al-Khlifa or Soldiers of the Caliphate. The area, which used to be a favourite tourist destination, is now an Islamist nest.

Gourdel is a photographer and mountaineer. Michel Ingigliardi, the victim's friend for 30 years, said going to far-away isolated nations is consistent with the Frenchman's personality.

The IS posted a video, similar to what it did with previous beheading victims James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines. The video, titled A Message with Blood to the French Government, started with a clip of French President Francois Hollande announcing it will conduct strikes against IS in Iraq.

It was followed by a scene in which Gourdel is on his knees while his hands are behind his back. Also shown are four jihadists with covered faces. Gourdel gives a brief message to his family and it is followed by one of the militants denouncing the French criminal crusaders against Islam followers in Algeria, Mali and Iraq.

He said the beheading of Gourdel is to avenge the victims in Algeria and support the caliphate.

Mr Hollande condemned the cruel and cowardly decapitation of Gourdel, which he said only strengthened France's decision to battle the IS group in Iraq through air strikes.

In an address to the UN General Assembly, Mr Hollande said, "France is going through an ordeal through the murder of one of its citizens, but France will never give in to blackmail ... The fight against terrorism must continue and be stepped up."

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramfae Lamamra told BBC, "Algeria will never ever end to terrorism and justice will be done. Our commitment to fight this scourge will grow even stronger."

Mr Hollande added, "France will never cede to terrorism because it is our duty, and, more than that, because it is our honour."

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