Terrorists with the Islamic State have issued a new threat to kill their two Japanese hostages, saying they’re now putting a strict deadline on Tokyo to pay the $200 million ransom.
The new threat — a warning that the “countdown has begun” before the hostages will be beheaded — comes as Japanese authorities failed to meet Friday’s deadline to pay the ransom, Fox News reported.
Islamic State members issued the warning via a new online post of a clock that ticks down to zero, along with images of the group’s other hostages who have all been beheaded. Nippon Television Network first reported the new threat in Japan. Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said his country was investigating and analyzing the video.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, meanwhile, has vowed to take sharp action against the Islamic State.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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