Jihadist Group Reportedly Beheads French Tourist in Response to Anti-ISIS Strikes

According to several reports, an Algerian jihadist group has released video appearing to show the slaying of a French tourist they abducted this past weekend.

French mountaineering guide Herve Gourdel, 55, was captured Sunday by an “Al Qaeda splinter” group calling themselves “Jund al-Khilafa.”

They later issued a 24-hour deadline for France to halt its participation in airstrikes against ISIS forces in Iraq.

Gourdel was reportedly visiting the African country for hiking and exploration purposes. He was taken by the group while driving through the country’s central region.

The French man’s alleged execution marks the fourth time ISIS or its supporters have filmed the beheading of a captive male: ISIS killed two American journalists (James Foley and Steven Sotloff) along with a British aid worker David Haines. Those three were done as retaliation for United States strikes against the Islamic State.

Watch the report below, via CNN:

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!