(Newswire.net — October 24, 2014) — As the US-led air campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria continues, Federal Bureau of Investigation warns the media workers that extremists affiliated with the so-called Islamic State have been “tasked with kidnapping journalists,” according to the Washington Post.
“Online supporters of ISIL have called, via various social media sites, for retaliation against the United States and US interests abroad, especially since US-led air strikes in Iraq and Syria began.” the FBI wrote in the memo.
The “credible information” obtained by the FBI suggests that an Islamic splinter group intends on kidnapping journalists, so that they could be taken to the swathe of Syria controlled by the militia.
“The FBI assesses, based on open source statements and postings, that [ISIL] members and supporters view members of the US media establishment as legitimate targets for retribution attacks.” The FBI memo says.
The Intelligence bulletin cited an online posting from last month in which an IS sympathizer has said to have referred to “media personnel, including anchormen, field reporters and talk show hosts” as “prioritized targets.”, according to Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima.
In the memo titled “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) Identifies Reporters and Media Personalities as Desirable Targets”, the FBI warned further that the kidnappers “might try to mask their affiliation with ISIL to gain access to journalists.”
Amidst a growing campaign of air strikes against the
According to a video posted online earlier this month, British aid worker Alan Henning was beheaded on camera by the group as well.