The Islamic State's (ISIS) latest gruesome beheading video, released Sunday, is titled: “A message signed with blood to the nations of the cross" and features the brutal killing of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya.
A warning to the world's Christians from the Islamic State.
"We will conquer Rome," he says.
One of the murderers waves his arm in the direction of the Vatican and warns: “We will conquer Rome.”
Unlike earlier videos, this one shows the horrifying moment that the hostages are beheaded without panning away. After the Christians’ deaths, it pans to the sea, which runs red with their blood.
The camera does not pan away as these Coptic Christians are murdered by Islamic State militants.
“All crusaders: safety for you will be only wishes, especially if you are fighting us all together. Therefore we will fight you all together,” says the black clad man, who is identified in the video as a member of the Tripoli Province of ISIS.
The Christians are marched to their death.
“The sea you have hidden Osama bin Laden’s body in, we will mix it with your blood.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was “visibly angry” reports the AFP and hours later, launched seven airstrikes against Libya and declared seven days of mourning. He also sent condolences to the families of “the victims of terrorism.”
A statement from Egypt’s Armed Forces General Command said strikes would target ISIS’ weapons caches and training camps before returning safely. Strikes were “to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers.”
“Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield that protects them.”
“We affirm that avenging Egyptian blood and retaliating against criminals and killers is a duty we must carry out.”
Sheikh Abdullah, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE,) called for greater international support for the embattled Libyan government ousted from Tripoli last August. “[ISIS] criminals must strongly and decisively receive the punishment they deserve without any hesitancy.”