Md. Man Concerned For Friend Held Hostage In Latest ISIS Video
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- America moves to arm Syrian rebels and fight back against ISIS. The terror group is behind a plot to behead innocent people in Australia that was stopped just in time.
This, as another chilling hostage video is released.
Rick Ritter talks to a Maryland man whose friend is in the hands of ISIS.
Baltimore's Matthew Van Dyke says he is thrilled to see his friend alive, but knows it could be for the very last time.
On Thursday, Australian police detained 15 people in more than a dozen raids.
"They hate us for who we are and how we live," said Tony Abbot, Australian prime minister.
The move was sparked by intelligence that ISIS was planning a random, violent attack in Sydney.
ISIS beheadings have ripped through the hearts of Americans. The group's latest video has nerves running high once again.
"It's a mix of anger, it's a mix of outrage," Van Dyke said.
The video shows captured British journalist John Cantlie warning that America and its allies are foolishly heading into an unwinnable war.
"It's very surreal," Van Dyke said.
It's a crushing reality for one of Cantlie's friends--Baltimore native Matthew Van Dyke--who worked with Cantlie in Syria, calling him a "one of a kind guy."
"You can see that his personality is still alive in that video," he said.
Cantlie was captured with James Foley--another friend of Van Dyke--who was beheaded just weeks ago.
"Having already lost two friends already in a month, the idea of losing a third is a lot to deal with," said Van Dyke.
Van Dyke knows he could have been on the other end of the horrific videos.
He was captured himself and detained in solitary confinement for six months in Libya before being freed and returning home to Baltimore three years ago.
At Thursday's ISIS hearing, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger said it's time for the most powerful country in the world to finally take charge.
"There are issues and resources that we have that no one else has, and I think we can make a difference," Congressman Ruppersberger said.
A move Van Dyke says should have been made months ago.
"I hope that the administration finally gets serious and does something about this before I lose more friends," he said.
Van Dyke says he is heading to Iraq by the end of the year to deliver aid to Christians who were forced to flee their homes by ISIS and Iraq.
It is estimated it will cost about $500 million to train and arm Syrian rebels.
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