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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=The Beatles (terrorist cell)|timestamp=20140913023319|year=2014|month=September|day=13|substed=yes|help=off}}
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| countries = Within portions of Syria and Iraq (in the self-declared, unrecognized [[The Islamic State|Islamic State]])
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| nickname = The Beatles<ref name="The Beatles terrorist group">{{cite web|title=The Beatles terrorist group|url=http://nypost.com/2014/08/25/father-of-suspected-john-the-beatle-was-an-osama-lieutenant/|publisher=NY POST|accessdate=12 September 2014}}</ref>
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#Jihadi John|Jihadi John]]
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| commander2 = Jihadi George <br> Jihadi Ringo
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'''The Beatles''', dubbed as such by their former and current hostages because of their British accents, are an active [[The Islamic State|Islamic State]] (IS) terrorist cell of three members nicknamed
[[#John
|John]],
==Cell==
The Beatles are three of an estimated 500 [[British Muslim]]s fighting on behalf of the [[jihadist]] Islamic State to impose a [[caliphate]] in Syria and Iraq.<ref name="Mail Online">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2755749/The-monster-hiding-black-mask-Intelligence-experts-study-new-beheading-video-desperate-hunt-Jihadi-John.html|title=Experts study David Haines beheading video on hunt for Jihadi John - Mail Online|work=Mail Online|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=dmo-2014-09-14>{{cite news|last1=Drury|first1=Ian|title=The monster hiding behind a black mask: Intelligence experts study new beheading video in desperate hunt for Jihadi John|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2755749/The-monster-hiding-black-mask-Intelligence-experts-study-new-beheading-video-desperate-hunt-Jihadi-John.html|accessdate=15 September 2014|work=[[Daily Mail Online]]|date=14 September 2014|archive-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=http://www.webcitation.org/6Sc7zHQVn}}</ref> The Beatles are reportedly harsher than other Islamic State guards.<ref name="NBC News"/><ref name=NBC-2014-09-15>{{cite news|title=British ISIS Militants Dubbed 'Beatles' Guarded Syria Hostages|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/james-foley/british-isis-militants-dubbed-beatles-guarded-syria-hostages-n185926|accessdate=15 September 2014|work=[[NBC News]]|date=21 August 2014}}</ref> They are the most feared of the jihadists because of their taste for the macabre and their beatings, use of [[Taser gun]]s, and [[waterboard]]ing, according to a freed French hostage.<ref name="Mail Online"/>
Islamic State fighters are believed to be holding more than 20 foreign hostages.<ref name=bbc-2014-08-20>{{cite news|title=James Foley beheading: Hunt on for 'British' jihadist|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-28876994|accessdate=15 September 2014|work=[[BBC News]]|date=20 August 2014}}</ref>
=== Jihadi John ===
[[File:Jihadi John.jpg|thumb|upright|"Jihadi John"|alt=An image of a man's face, covered by a niqab.]]
[[File:Jihadi John facial.jpg|thumb|right|A computer generated image of what Jihadi John may look like.]]
{{anchor|John|Jihadi John}}'''"Jihadi John"''' is the [[nickname]] given by news media to an unidentified member of the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] (IS; previously ISIS or ISIL) known for appearing to be the murderer responsible for several [[2014 ISIS beheading incidents|beheading incidents in 2014]]. Jihadi John was given his nickname by a group of released hostages who said he was the leader of the terrorist cell called "The Beatles", and handled relations with families of foreign hostages.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hunt for "Jihadi John" continues|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2730336/Find-British-butcher-mask-Jihadi-filmed-beheading-American-journalist-identified-John-Londoner-gang-UK-extremists-known-The-Beatles.html|accessdate=22 August 2014|publisher=DailyMail}}</ref> The nickname was based on [[John Lennon]] of the British rock band [[the Beatles]], with other members of the cell known as "George" and "Ringo" after Beatles [[George Harrison]] and [[Ringo Starr]], as the cell members all had British accents.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Levy|first1=Megan|title=How London rapper L Jinny became Jihadi John, suspected of beheading James Foley|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-london-rapper-l-jinny-became-jihadi-john-suspected-of-beheading-james-foley-20140825-107zdz.html|accessdate=5 September 2014|work=smh.com.au|date=25 August 2014}}</ref>
The jihadist known as "John" has been identified by the British counter-intelligence and security agency [[MI5]], and appeared in a beheading video as Foley's killer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/09/us-british-intelligence-reportedly-identify-foley-beheader-close-to-arresting/|title=ISIS fighter 'John' was reportedly known to British intelligence for over a year|work=Fox News|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> He spoke with a [[British accent]] in the video, and UK Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said: “from what we have seen it looks increasingly likely that it is a [[British citizen]].”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nypost.com/2014/08/20/jihadi-who-executed-us-journalist-may-have-been-british-national/|title=Reporter’s killer a member of British jihadi crew called ‘the Beatles’ - New York Post|date=20 August 2014|work=New York Post|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref>
====Identification and manhunt====
Jihadi John became the focus of a manhunt by the [[FBI]], MI5, and [[Scotland Yard]].<ref name=video/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=PM returns from holiday after video shows US reporter beheaded by Briton|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/20/isis-fighter-beheaded-us-journalist-james-foley-appears-british-hammond|accessdate=20 August 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPYZwHmXzI|title=Uncovering James Foley's killer|work=[[The National (CBC)]]|date=21 August 2014|accessdate=22 August 2014}}</ref> In his videos, Jihadi John conceals his identity by covering himself from head to toe in black, except for tan desert boots, with a mask that only leaves his eyes visible.<ref name=video/> Despite that, several facts about Jihadi John can be ascertained from both videos. He speaks with a "[[Multicultural London English]]" accent,<ref name=video>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11044977/Hunt-for-British-Islamic-State-killer-of-US-journalist-James-Foley.html|title=Hunt for 'British' Islamic State killer of US journalist James Foley|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Nick Allen and Philip Sherwell|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=20 August 2014}}</ref> and appears to have a skin tone consistent with [[African British|African]] or [[South Asian British|South Asian]] descent.<ref name=rayner/> In both videos, he sports a pistol in a leather [[Handgun holster|shoulder holster]] under his left shoulder, typical of [[right-handed]] people,<ref name=np>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08/20/hunt-is-on-for-isis-terrorist-video-yields-clues-to-identity-of-american-journalists-left-handed-executioner/|title=Hunt is on for ISIS terrorist: Video yields clues to identity of American journalist’s left-handed executioner|work=[[The National Post]]|author=Gordon Rayner, Alastair Beach, Martin Evans, Philip Sherwell|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> but his actions in the videos have led him to be widely considered to be [[left-handed]].<ref name=Fox>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/03/video-reportedly-shows-beheading-reporter-steven-sotloff-by-isis/?pid=tradedesk01&aid=tradedesk01&cid=0511td300x250&c=tradedesk01cont1&w=300&h=250&plc=tr\%22|title=White House confirms authenticity of ISIS video showing beheading of reporter|work=[[Fox News]]|author=Joshua Rhett Miller|date=3 September 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref>
Other factors that could lead to his identification are his height, general physique, the pattern of veins on the backs of his hands,<ref name=rayner/> and his voice and clothes.<ref name=video/><ref name=rayner/> A team of analysts might use the topography of the landscape in the video to attempt to identify the location.<ref name=rayner>{{cite web|last=Rayner|first=Gordon|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11047420/Video-clues-that-could-unmask-James-Foleys-murderer.html|title=Video clues that could unmask James Foley's murderer|publisher=Telegraph|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> On 24 August 2014, the [[British Ambassador to Washington]], [[Peter Westmacott|Sir Peter Westmacott]], said that Britain was very close to identifying Jihadi John using sophisticated [[Speaker recognition|voice recognition]] technology,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherwell|first=Philip|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11053836/Britain-very-close-to-identifying-Jihadi-John-suspected-killer-of-James-Foley-says-ambassador.html|title=Britain 'very close' to identifying 'Jihadi John' – suspected killer of James Foley – says ambassador|publisher=Telegraph|date=24 Augusr 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> but when pressed, refused to disclose any other details.<ref>{{cite web|last=Almasy|first=Steve|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/24/world/meast/isis-james-foley/index.html|title=Britain close to identifying James Foley's killer, ambassador says|publisher=CNN|date=26 August 2014|accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref>
On 14 September, David Cameron confirmed that Jihadi John's identity is known, it has yet to be revealed.<ref name="His ID is known, not revealed">{{cite news|title=The British connection to ISIS beheadings|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/14/opinion/bergen-british-connection-isis-beheadings/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|date=14 September 2014 |accessdate=14 September 2014|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
====Possible identity====
{{see also|United Kingdom and ISIS}}
On 24 August 2014, it was reported that MI5 and [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] (the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), which supplies the British Government with foreign intelligence) were investigating three men who left the United Kingdom for Syria to fight with the Islamic State. The [[key suspect]] is [[Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary]], an amateur [[rapping|rapper]] from [[London]], and the son of Egyptian militant [[Adel Abdel Bari]].<ref name ="beatles">{{cite news|title=London hip-hop artist Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary key suspect in hunt for killer of American journalist James Foley|url=http://www.news.com.au/world/london-hiphop-artist-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-key-suspect-in-hunt-for-killer-of-american-journalist-james-foley/story-fndir2ev-1227034541900|accessdate=24 August 2014|work=news.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=British rapper, a hacker and jihadi propagandist possible identities of ‘John the Beatle’, suspected killer of US journalist James Foley|url=http://www.news.com.au/world/british-rapper-a-hacker-and-jihadi-propagandist-possible-identities-of-john-the-beatle-suspected-killer-of-us-journalist-james-foley/story-fndir2ev-1227034541900|accessdate=23 August 2014|publisher=News.Au}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-rapper-abdelmajed-abdel-bary-investigated-as-police-hunt-for-jihadi-john-9687547.html|title=London rapper Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary investigated as police hunt for 'Jihadi John'|work=Evening Standard|date=23 August 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> Other suspects include Junaid Hussain, a [[computer hacker]] from [[Birmingham]];<ref name="beatles"/> and Abu Abdullah al-Britani from [[Portsmouth]].<ref name="beatles"/>
==Executions ==
{{see also|2014 ISIS beheading incidents}}
A former Islamic State member said that using a British man to carry out the beheadings was likely a deliberate effort by IS to "project the image that a European, or a Western person, executed an American so that they can ... appeal to others outside Syria and make them feel that they belong to the same cause."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2014/09/05/ringo-starr-displeased-british-isis-torturers-called-the-beatles/|title=Ringo Starr displeased British Islamic State torturers called ‘The Beatles’ - The Washington Post|work=Washington Post|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref>
===Syrian soldier===
In a video posted on [[Instagram]] in May 2014, a man who investigators believe may be Jihadi John is seen in a video killing a Syrian soldier. It shows a soldier loyal to President [[Bashar al-Assad]] crouching in a field in Syria, then being shot in the back of the head by a man armed with a pistol.<ref>{{cite news|title=James Foley's Murderer May Have Been Spotted In Another Brutal Execution Video|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/james-foleys-murderer-execution-2014-8|accessdate=7 September 2014|publisher=Business Insider (Taken from Telegraph)}}</ref>
===James Foley===
{{main|James Foley (journalist)}}
In a video uploaded to [[YouTube]] on 19 August 2014, Foley read a prepared statement criticizing the United States, the recent air strikes in Iraq and his brother who serves in the [[United States Air Force]].<ref name=rayner/> Jihadi John, wearing a mask, also read a prepared statement in which he criticized America and [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] and made demands to cease the [[2014 American intervention in Iraq]].<ref name=rayner/> The masked man then beheaded Foley off-camera, after which he threatened to behead [[Steven Sotloff]] if his demands are not met. The [[FBI]] and [[United States National Security Council]] confirmed that the video, which included footage of Foley's beheaded corpse, is genuine.<ref name=rayner/>
===Steven Sotloff===
[[File:Hostage Steven Sotloff held by executioner.jpg|thumb|[[Steven Sotloff]] being held by Jihadi John at the end of the [[James Foley]] beheading video]]
{{main|Steven Sotloff}}
On 2 September 2014, a video was released reportedly showing American journalist [[Steven Sotloff]]'s beheading by Jihadi John.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/isis-video-steven-sotloff-beheading|title=Isis video purports to show execution of US journalist Steven Sotloff|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Paul Lewis|date=2 September 2014|accessdate=2 September 2014}}</ref> The [[White House]] confirmed the video's authenticity.<ref name=foxnews>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/03/video-reportedly-shows-beheading-reporter-steven-sotloff-by-isis/ |title=White House confirms authenticity of ISIS video showing beheading of reporter |work=[[Fox News]] |author=Joshua Rhett Miller/AP |date=3 September 2014 |accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref>
===David Haines===
{{main|David Cawthorne Haines}}
On 13 September 2014, a video, directed at [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]], was released, showing British hostage aid worker [[David Cawthorne Haines]] being murdered by Jihadi John.<ref name="ISIS executes British aid worker David Haines; Cameron vows justice">{{cite news|title=ISIS executes British aid worker David Haines; Cameron vows justice|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/13/world/meast/isis-haines-family-message/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|accessdate=13 September 2014|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
===Analysis of beheading videos===
====Official analysis====
Officially the [[FBI]] and [[United States National Security Council]] confirmed that the videos, which ended with footage of beheaded corpses, are genuine.<ref name=rayner/> [[David Cameron]] and the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|British Foreign Office]] also confirmed the authenticity of the video showing the death of [[David Cawthorne Haines|David Haines]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/david-haines-beheading-british-pm-vows-to-hunt-down-those-responsible-1.2765792|title=David Haines beheading: British PM vows to 'hunt down those responsible'|work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]|author=CThe Associated Press|date=14 September 2014}}</ref>
The videos were produced and distributed by Al Hayat Media Center, a media outlet of IS that is under the authority of the IS's official propaganda arm, the Al-Itisam Establishment for Media Production, that targets specifically Western and non-Arabic speaking audiences.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.de/g%C3%BCnther-der-islamische-staat-agiert-hochgradig-rational/a-17866907|title=Der 'Islamische Staat' agiert hochgradig rational|work=[[Deutsche Welle]]|author=Christoph Günther|date=20 August 2014}}</ref>
====Unofficial analysis====
An unnamed forensics expert commissioned by ''[[The Times]]'' to look at the video said "I think it has been staged. My feeling is that the murder may have happened after the camera was stopped." ''The Times'' concluded that "No one is questioning that the photojournalist was beheaded, but camera trickery and slick post-production techniques appear to have been used."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://failover-www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4186089.html|title=Foley video with Briton was staged, experts say|work=[[The Times]]|author=Deborah Haynes|date=25 August 2014|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref> Two unnamed video specialists in the ''[[International Business Times|International Business Times of Australia]]'' claimed that portions of the video appeared to be staged and edited.<ref name="IBTAustralia">{{cite news|title=James Foley Beheading Video Has Play-Acting Portions – Video Experts Say|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/563629/20140822/james-foley-beheading-video.htm#.U_fkW7GTDK3|date=23 August 2014|accessdate=23 August 2014|publisher=''International Business Times of Australia''}}</ref> Dr. James Alvarez, a British-American hostage negotiator, also claimed the video was "expertly staged".<ref name=rayner/> Jeff Smith, Associate Director of the CU Denver National Center for Media Forensics said “What’s most interesting is that the actual beheading that takes place in the videos, both of them are staged,”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/09/03/media-forensics-experts-analyzing-isis-video/|title=Media Forensics Experts Analyzing ISIS Video In Denver « CBS Denver|publisher=|accessdate=15 September 2014}}</ref>
British analyst [[Eliot Higgins]] (Brown Moses) published photographic and video forensic evidence suggesting that the video was taken at a spot in the hills south of the Syrian city of [[Ar-Raqqah|Raqqa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20140824-irak-ei-execution-james-foley-jihadi-john-enquete-mi5-mi6-localisation-etat-islamique-raqqa|title=France 24: ''Exécution de James Foley: la traque de "Jihadi John" est lancée''|work=France 24|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bellingcat.com/resources/case-studies/2014/08/23/the-hills-of-raqqa-geolocating-the-james-foley-video/|title=Bellingcat: ''The Hills of Raqqa – Geolocating the James Foley Video''|publisher=|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2014/08/25/exp-erin-sciutto-where-was-foley-killed.cnn.html|title=Is this where James Foley was killed?|work=CNN Video|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref>
Jihadi John claims there are more than 20 hostages remaining.<ref name=guardian-chulov>{{cite news|last1=Chulov|first1=Martin|title=Islamic State militants seize four more foreign hostages in Syria|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/islamic-state-isis-foreign-hostages-syria-aleppo|accessdate=23 August 2014|publisher=The Guardian|date=20 August 2014}}</ref> Many hostage families choose not to reveal their relatives' names to avoid drawing attention to them and thus compromising their safety.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/us-says-sotloff-beheading-video-authentic-083130265--politics.html |title=Obama says beheading videos won't intimidate US |work=[[Yahoo News!]] |agency=AP |author=Julie Pace |date=3 September 2014 |accessdate=3 September 2014}} Quote: "one [hostage] is a 26-year-old woman who was kidnapped while doing humanitarian aid work in Syria, according to a family representative who asked that the hostage not be identified out of fear for her safety."</ref>
==Reactions ==
{{flag|United States}} - Barack Obama condemned the actions of Jihadi John and vowed punishment for all the militants responsible behind the videotaped beheadings.<ref name=Obama>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/world/middleeast/steven-sotloff-isis-execution.html?_r=0|title=After Beheading of Steven Sotloff, Obama Pledges to Punish ISIS|work=[[New York Times]]|accessdate=11 September 2014|author=David, Julie Hirschfeld|date=2 September 2014}}</ref> [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] also called Jihadi John a "coward behind a mask" and, echoing Obama, stated that all those responsible would be held accountable by the United States.<ref name=Obama/>
{{flag|United Kingdom}} - British officials have also reiterated their commitment to capturing Jihadi John. [[Alan West, Baron West of Spithead|Admiral Alan West]], a former UK Security Minister, said that he is a "dead man walking" who will be "hunted down like Osama Bin-Laden".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11073733/Jihadi-John-is-dead-man-walking-says-former-security-minister.html|title=Jihadi John is 'dead man walking', says former security minister – Telegraph|date=3 September 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref> David Cameron also stated that he was absolutely certain that Jihadi John would "one way or another, face justice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11074342/David-Cameron-absolutely-certain-Jihadi-John-will-be-caught.html|title=David Cameron 'absolutely certain Jihadi John will be caught' – Telegraph|date=4 September 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref>
The use of "Beatles" as a nickname for the group elicited a response from [[Ringo Starr]], who stated his disgust at the use of his former band's name in this context, adding that [[the Beatles]] had stood for peace and opposed violence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2743813/Ringo-Starr-disgusted-ISIS-Brits-nicknamed-The-Beatles-It-s-b-t-They-against-stood-for.html|title=Ringo Starr disgusted by ISIS nickname|work=Mail Online|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Beheading in Islamism]]
* [[Kidnapping in Islamism]]
==References==
{{
{{Portal bar|Middle East|Biography|Terrorism|Iraq|Syria}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Jihadi John
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Islamic State member
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Unknown
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jihadi John}}
[[Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant members]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism]]
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[[Category:Filmed executions in Syria]]
[[Category:Kidnappings by Islamists]]
[[Category:Executioners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Unidentified criminals]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents by unknown perpetrators]]
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