The White House on Friday said that it has “not seen any indication” to corroborate claims by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria that an American hostage was killed during Jordanian airstrikes in Syria.
The Islamic State earlier Friday claimed that American hostage Kayla Mueller was killed during a bombing by Jordanian fighter planes, an attack designed as retribution for the Jordanian pilot recently burned to death by the terrorist group.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters that while the Obama administration was “deeply concerned” about the Islamic State statement, security officials have “not seen any indication to corroborate those claims.”
The Islamic State provided no actual proof that Mueller had died, but did release her phone number and other personal information.
“The failed Jordanian aircraft killed an American female hostage,” said the Islamic State message. “No mujahid was injured in the bombardment, and all praise is due to Allah.” Mujahid means “fighter.”
Earlier this week, President Obama vowed to “redouble” efforts to fight this Islamic State after a video surfaced of First Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive.
The White House said it would devote all it resources to investigating the terror group’s latest claim.
“I can assure you our intelligence community is looking into that,” Schultz said aboard Air Force One, as Obama traveled to Indianapolis for an event to promote his economic agenda.
