’IS’ Demands $6.6mn Ransom for Female American Hostage

Local Editor

The so-called "Islamic State" militants are holding a third American hostage, a 26-year-old humanitarian worker kidnapped last year in Syria. The terrorist group is demanding a ransom of $6.6 million and the release of a woman from a US prison.
The kidnapped woman, whose family asked not to be identified, is the third of at least four Americans known to be held by the "IS".

American journalist James Foley, executed by "IS' militants, was the fourth hostage.

Another known hostage, journalist Steven Sotloff, was seen alive but under duress in the video footage that depicted Foley's decapitation.

"IS" is calling for $6.6 million in exchange for the American woman, ABC News reported, as well as the release from US custody of Aafia Siddiqui, convicted in 2010 of targeting US officials in Afghanistan

Meanwhile, American officials said Monday the United States is prepared to use a variety of options to weaken "Islamic State", including airstrikes in Syria without Damascus' consent, if backed by regional and European partners.
"With Central Command, [General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] is preparing options to address ISIS both in Iraq and Syria with a variety of military tools including airstrikes," Dempsey's spokesman, Col. Ed Thomas, confirmed on Monday.

"The bottom line is that our forces are well postured to partner with regional allies against IS," he added, stressing that a coalition of "capable regional and European partners" is needed to tackle the issue.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team