ISIS Says It Beheaded Kidnapped Journalist James Foley, Posts Graphic Video

Journalist James Foley, reportedly kidnapped in Syria in 2012, has been beheaded, a graphic video released by supposed Islamic State militants purports to show. The video shows Foley kneeling beside a man dressed in all black. It begins with a speech by President Obama announcing the U.S. military would begin targeted airstrikes against the Islamic State, the group that has declared a caliphate across parts of Syria and Iraq also known as ISIS, to stop its advance on Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The video switches to a black screen with white writing that reads: "A Message to America." Foley then begins to recite a message, presumably written for him by his captors, about his "real killer" -- America. At the end of the video, the executioner begins sawing at Foley's neck with a knife. After a blackout, the last image appears to show Foley's head, detached, lying on top of his body.

YouTube removed the video shortly after it was posted.

Foley's death could not be confirmed independently.

Foley was a freelance journalist, originally from New Hampshire, who wrote for media outlets including Global Post.