Former U.S. Army Ranger Peter Kassig held by ISIS

Peter Kassig's parents make video plea to ISIS
CNN
By Arwa Damon and Michael Martinez
October 4, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Ed and Paula Kassig urge ISIS to release their son
Peter Kassig changed his first name to Abdul-Rahman when converting to Islam
"We implore his captors to show mercy," his father says on videotaped message
"Most of all, know that we love you," his mother says to son

(CNN) -- The family of ISIS hostage and U.S. aid worker Peter Kassig released a YouTube video Saturday asking his captors to show mercy and free him.

Referring to him as Abdul-Rahman -- a first name his family says he took, having converted to Islam while being held hostage -- father Ed Kassig said: "We implore his captors to show mercy and use their power to let our son go."

Peter Kassig, 26, first went to the Middle East as a U.S. soldier and returned as a medical worker, feeling compelled to help victims of war.

His mother, Paula, addressed her son in the video: "We are so very proud of you and the work you have done to bring humanitarian aid to the Syrian people," she said.
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'LET OUR SON GO'

How former U.S. Army Ranger threatened with beheading fought in Iraq and then returned to Middle East to run Syrian aid group
Daily Mail
By EMMA GLANFIELD and WILLS ROBINSON FOR MAILONLINE
3 October 2014

Former U.S. Army Ranger and Iraq war veteran Peter Kassig, 26, is believed to be the latest U.S hostage to be held by Islamic State militants in Syria after he featured at the end of Alan Henning's execution video

Peter Kassig appears in latest ISIS video showing British aid worker's death
In footage, 26-year-old is shown on his knees as he is held by 'Jihadi John'
Video released tonight claims to show beheading of hostage Alan Henning
'Jihadi John' tells camera that President Obama's aerial bombardment in Syria means that 'it is only right to continue to strike necks of your people'
Mr Kassig enlisted in the Army in 2006 and served in the Iraq war in 2007
He then went to provide aid to Syrian war refugees and his family said that while in captivity he converted to Islam and took the name Abdul Rahman

The 26-year-old, from Indianapolis, (pictured) enlisted in the Army in 2004 and was deployed to Iraq in 2007

An Iraq war veteran who launched his own aid group to provide medical help for Syrian war refugees has been named as the next potential victim of ISIS.

Former U.S. Army Ranger Peter Kassig, 26, has been confirmed as the latest American hostage to be held by Islamic State militants after he featured at the end of a video showing the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning.

In the footage, which emerged on the internet tonight, Mr Kassig, from Indianapolis, is shown on his knees next to 'Jihadi John'.

The young aid worker is being held by the Jihadi who tells the camera that President Obama's aerial bombardment in Syria means that 'it is only right to continue to strike the necks of your people.'
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