Masked IS executioner in Egyptian Christians' mass beheading video could be 'American'

The masked fighter who led the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya in a recent video released recently by the Islamic State (IS) over the weekend could be American, a report said.

A U.S. official conceded that intelligence experts were still analysing the video, facial features and speech patterns of the IS jihadist but he does sound "American," reported News.com.au.

Professor Erik Thomas, a linguistics expert at North Carolina State University, also weighed in by saying that the masked jihadist sounded like an American with some Arabic influence mixed in.

Another expert added that the IS fighter could be a native Arabic speaker who learnt American English while spending a considerable amount of time in the U.S.

The official remarked that by using someone from the U.S. to lead a mass beheading for a propaganda video, the IS was attempting to spark "nervousness and fear" at home. He added, "We know they are trying to actively recruit Americans."

At least 3000 westerners have joined the ranks of the IS in Iraq and Syria, the official said and added that about 150 of those converts are Americans who have their sights on joining various terror outfits.