DHAKA: The Islamic State militant group has released a video online purporting to show the beheading of US journalist James Foley, missing since 2012.

The militants said the killing was revenge for US air strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq.

Foley's mother Diane said on Facebook she was proud of her son: "He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people."

The White House said if the video was genuine, the US would be "appalled".

Foley has reported extensively across the Middle East, working for America's Global Post and other media outlets including the French news agency.

Source: BBC

BDST: 0906 HRS, AUG 20, 2014