FBI: US believes it has identified ISIS militant in hostage videos

FBI Director James Comey on Thursday said the United States believes it has identified the Islamic militant featured in videos depicting the beheading of two U.S. journalists, according to multiple reports. 

He declined to publicly name the suspect or his nationality, according to The Associated Press.   

The AP noted Comey did not say whether the United States believes the man carried out the executions, which were not shown. 

{mosads}British officials for the last month have said they were “close” to identifying the masked militant working with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, who spoke with a British accent. 

The terrorist group released the first video last month showing the beheading of journalist James Foley, after President Obama authorized limited airstrikes in Iraq. ISIS released another video appearing to show the same masked militant during the execution of journalist Steven Sotloff earlier this month. 

The ISIS executions of the two Americans, and a British aide worker, have galvanized support in the United States for expanded airstrikes in the region. The administration has since expanded strikes to Syria, and outlined plans to arm and train vetted Syrian rebels to help combat ISIS.