The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has released a Hollywood-style propaganda video in which the terrorist group appears to threaten U.S. troops and the White House.
The 42-second spot – complete with gun battles, explosions and footage of President Obama – is called “Flames of War.” At the end of the clip, the words “fighting has just begun” shows up and is followed by “coming soon.”
At one point, troops are seen being shot at, wounded and being whisked away in an military vehicle. It was released by the al-Hayat Media Center, which is considered the propaganda arm of ISIS. Al-Hayat has also been promoting the video by ISIS showing the recent executions of American journalists Steven Sotloff, James Foley and British aid worker David Cawthorne Haines.
The latest video was released just hours after Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday and acknowledged that sending ground troops into Iraq isn’t out of the question.
The House of Representatives is currently debating legislation to greenlight Obama’s plan to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels to fight ISIS. A vote is expected to take place later this afternoon. If it passes, the measure will head to the Senate.
While leaders of both parties back Obama’s strategy to target ISIS, some lawmakers have expressed concerns that the weapons could end up in the hands of ISIS. Others want to take stronger actions and some are concerned about the U.S. getting embroiled in yet another war.
Obama, meanwhile, visited the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force in Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday. Top commanders briefed him on military battle plans to strike ISIS in Iraq and possibly Syria.
The U.S. is increasing its airstrikes in Iraq, which Obama authorized. CENTCOM announced Tuesday that the American military conducted five airstrikes in the country on Monday and Tuesday, including three strikes southwest of Baghdad. The strikes in Baghdad are the first the U.S. has taken as part of the expanded efforts to destroy ISIS. CENTCOM has launched a total of 167 airstrikes – hitting ISIS trucks, anti-aircraft artillery pieces, ground units and boats – in Iraq since the U.S. intervened on Aug. 7.
