British Captive John Cantlie Speaks in First Episode of New IS Series

The Islamic State (IS) released the first episode in which a British captive, John Cantlie, speaks on the alleged truth about the group that is hidden by the Western media. The 3 minute, 21 second video, entitled, "Lend Me Your Ears: Messages from the British Detainee John Cantlie," was produced by the group's al-Furqan Media Foundation, and distributed on Twitter on September 18, 2014.

SITE Director Rita Katz explains, "As the U.S. heads up the military operation on IS with coalition forces, so did IS with its releases clearly aiming to do all it can to stop this military operation against it."

"First they tried to terrorize with beheadings," Katz goes on. "Now, they want to create the perception to the international community at large—both Western countries and Muslims—that they are a real Islamic State to counter criticisms that they are barbaric."

Cantlie, wearing the same orange clothing that IS captives James Wright Foley, Steven Joel Sotloff, David Cawthorne Haines, and Alan Henning have worn, appears by himself and speaks directly into the camera. He identified himself as a British journalist who worked for publications including The Sunday Times, The Sun, and The Sunday Telegraph, and said he came to Syria in November 2012 and was subsequently captured by the IS. He remarked:

Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking he's only doing this because he's a prisoner. He's got a gun at his head, and he's being forced to do this. Right? Well it's true, I am a prisoner. That I cannot deny. But, seeing as I've been abandoned by my government and my fate now lies in the hands of the Islamic State, I have nothing to lose. Maybe I will live, and maybe I will die, but I want to take this opportunity to convey some facts that you can verify; facts that if you contemplate, might help in preserving lives.

Cantlie added that over the next "few programs" he will speak on the truth about the IS and, in particular, how it successfully negotiated for the release of prisoners with European countries, but cannot do so with the American and British governments.

"There is NO doubt that IS is afraid of the U.S.-led military operation against it and will do all it can to stop it," says Katz. "This is why they keep threatening the U.S., Britain, and other countries not to join the war. If they had not been afraid, they would not have made so many threats."

The video is available here: