David Cameron has described the US airstrike on the Islamic State extremist known as Jihadi John as an act of self-defence that struck at the heart of the terrorist organisation.
In a brief statement outside Downing Street on Friday morning, the British prime minister said: “[Mohammed Emwazi] posed an ongoing and serious threat … This [airstrike] was an act of self-defence. It was the right thing to do.”
Cameron said it had not yet been confirmed that Emwazi, who he branded a “barbaric murderer”, was dead. But he said Britain had been working “hand in glove” round the clock with its closest ally the US to track down and target the militant, who is believed to be responsible for the deaths of several Isis hostages, including Britons Alan Henning and David Haines.
The Pentagon confirmed late on Thursday night that the British terrorist, notorious for his appearance as the executioner in several Isis propaganda videos, had been targeted in a US drone strike.
British and American officials indicated there was a high degree of certainty Emwazi was killed in the attack.
“We cannot yet be certain if the strike was successful,” Cameron said, but British sources were confident that confirmation of death was imminent. Giving sparse details of the planning of the attack, the prime minister added: “We have been working literally around the clock with the US to track him down. This was a combined effort and the contribution of both our countries was essential.”
Cameron also stressed the legality of the US action, saying that Emwazi had remained a threat. He said: “[Emwazi] posed a serious and ongoing threat to civilians not only in Syria, but around the world and in the UK too. He was the lead executioner for Isis and let us never forget he killed many, many Muslims too. He was intent on murdering many more people. This was an act of self-defence. It was the right thing to do. I have always said we would do whatever is necessary to track him down.”
“It will demonstrate to those who would do Britain, our people and our allies harm, that we have a long reach, we have an unwavering determination, and we never forget our citizens. Britain and our allies will not rest until we have defeated this evil terrorist death cult and the poisonous ideology on which it feeds.”
Cameron also described the British aid workers executed by Emwazi in 2014 as the best of British, and said their lives would last in the memory of Britons far longer than their barbaric killers.
He also thanked the US for its role in the drone strike, saying that once again it showed the UK had “no better friend or ally” than the States in the fight against Isis.
