The Islamic State released a video on Tuesday vowing to kill two Japanese hostages unless they’re paid $200 million within 72 hours — and the Japanese prime minister vowed to do what he could to save them.
The video from the terror group’s al-Furgan media unit, was posted on various websites. In it, the terrorists send a direct message to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who’s currently visiting the Middle East, The Associated Press reported.
“To the prime minister of Japan: Although you are more than 8,000 and 500 kilometers from the Islamic State, you willingly have volunteered to take part in this crusade,” a terrorist with a knife says in the video, AP reported. “You have proudly donated $100 million to kill our women and children, to destroy the homes of the Muslims.”
The video also shows two men dressed in orange jumpsuits, believed to be the hostages.
Mr. Abe, meanwhile, said his country would do whatever it could to save the hostages.
“Their lives are the top priority,” he said, AP reported. “Extremism and Islam are completely different things.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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