French hostage beheaded by Algerian jihadists linked to IS

French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday confirmed the execution of Frenchman Herve Gourdel, who was held hostage by Algerian militants linked to an Islamist group in Syria and Iraq that had previously beheaded three Western captives. Earlier on Wednesday, the militants released a video that appeared to show the beheading of Gourdel, who was kidnapped on Sunday. His beheading followed France’s rejection of the group’s 24-hour ultimatum to halt its air raids in Iraq — part of a US-led campaign against Islamic State (also known as ISIS and ISIL).

Today a war was declared on France…We’ve been turning a blind eye to what’s happening in our back yards. And this is where it has led us.

Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, France

The Caliphate Soldiers, a splinter group linked to IS militants, published a video Monday claiming responsibility for the abduction and showed the man identifying himself as Gourdel. The video followed a similar style to those used in previous videos by IS showing the beheadings of three Western hostages.The French nature guide and photographer was taken hostage when militants stopped his vehicle in the remote mountains east of Algiers where he planned a hiking trip, according to Algeria’s interior ministry statement.

France will never give in to blackmail…The fight against terrorism must continue and be stepped up.

French President Francois Hollande

Africa gourdel