ISIS: US Hostage Died in Jordan Airstrikes

Group claims American woman died when Syrian building collapsed during bombing
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 6, 2015 11:28 AM CST
Updated Feb 6, 2015 12:26 PM CST
ISIS: US Hostage Died in Jordan Airstrikes
A Jordanian Air Force fighter jet flies over the village of Ai as Jordanian King Abdullah II visits to offer his condolences to the tribe of slain Jordanian pilot, Muath al-Kaseasbeh, Feb. 5, 2015.   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

An incensed Jordan has been making good on its word to dole out "earth-shaking revenge" against ISIS, conducting airstrikes on militant outposts in Syria since a video was released earlier this week showing pilot Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh being burned alive in a cage. Now ISIS is claiming that a building that collapsed in Raqqa in one of those airstrikes was holding an American hostage—a woman who reportedly disappeared in August 2013 and was said to be ISIS' last remaining US captive, the New York Times reports. "The failed Jordanian aircraft killed an American female hostage," a message posted by the SITE Intelligence Group read today. "No mujahid [fighter] was injured in the bombardment, and all praise is due to Allah." The statement also names the hostage as Kayla Mueller.

No evidence has been offered of her death yet, and a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council tells ABC the council has "not at this time seen any evidence that corroborates ISIL’s claim," using another acronym for the group. CNN cites a State Department spokesperson who says, "Obviously (we are) deeply concerned by these reports. We have not, at this point, seen anything that corroborates (ISIS's) claims." A Jordanian official calls the terror group's claim "illogical." (More ISIS stories.)

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