OK… so I’m not sure about this one and I want your opinion. A few days ago an American working at a U.S. base in Turkey died a really gruesome death, and a few days later, ISIS claimed responsibility, saying that they had assassinated the man.
Here’s how it was reported originally by the Associated Press:
An American national working at Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey died Monday after falling from the roof of his apartment building as he attempted to enter using a 10th floor window, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported.
Thaddeus Borowicz, 61, of Traverse City, Michigan, died after tying an electrical cable to a chimney to access his apartment using an open window, the Anadolu Agency reported. He had been locked out.
Vectrus, Borowicz’s employer, identified him as the assistant fire chief at the base, which is used by U.S. fighter jets to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria.
It said Borowicz did not appear for a scheduled work shift and was found dead outside his apartment by co-workers. The company would not comment on the cause of death, saying Turkish law enforcements officials were continuing their investigation.
So the story is that he was locked out of his apartment, tried to get climb back in through his window but a cable snapped and he tumbled to his death.
Apparently he hit the fence and his legs were severed:
#Breaking: First picture emerges of where #US commander Thaddeus Mithcheel Borowicz was found dead. pic.twitter.com/m5dlXFe5Bo
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) June 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/metesohtaoglu/status/742279866423345154
Here’s how Hurriyet is reporting that ISIS is taking responsibility and calling it an assassination:
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed that they assassinated a U.S. citizen who had been working as a fire chief at İncirlik Airbase in the southern province of Adana. Thaddeus Mithcheel Borowicz, 61, was found dead on June 13 with his legs torn off by the iron door of the building he was living in.
“We didn’t have any report on an American in Adana being killed by ISIL,” Lt. Col. David Westover, a military spokesman for the U.S. European Command, which oversees operations at İncirlik, said, while adding that the man’s death was “tragic.”
ISIL-affiliated Amaq News Agency however said “a secret unit” of jihadists had assassinated “an American officer” at his home on June 13 and that the claim of responsibility had been delayed to “ensure the safety” of the team sent to kill Borowicz.
According to initial statements, Borowicz, 61, realized he had forgotten both his car and apartment keys while he was getting into his car on the day of the incident. After returning home, Borowicz tried to break into the 10th floor apartment where he was staying through an open window. He had fastened a cable to the building’s chimney to use to access the window. He fell when the cable became disconnected.
As he fell Borowicz’s legs were torn off by the iron door of the building and he died at the scene, according to reports. Locals said they discovered Borowicz’s upper body at the entrance of the apartment and found his legs three meters away.
Ugh. Pretty awful.
Here’s more from Stars and Stripes:
The Islamic State-affiliated Amaq News Agency, however, quoted a security source saying that it had assassinated “an American officer” at his home on Monday and that the claim of responsibility had been delayed to “ensure the safety” of the team sent to execute Borowicz.
Rita Katz, director of the private SITE Intelligence Group, noted on social media that the killing was likely the second Islamic State attack in Turkey over the last week.
On Sunday, two Islamic State operatives wielding pistols attempted to assassinate the Syrian journalist Ahmed Abd al-Qader in the ancient, southeastern city of Sanliurfa. That city, along with nearby Gaziantep and Kilis, is a hub of militant Islamist activity, primarily for logistics, recruitment and resupply purposes.
Abd al-Qader, who edits the online publication Eye on the Homeland, survived a similar assassination attempt earlier this year. He is reportedly in a stable situation in a Turkish hospital.
I have my doubts however. While the U.S. government would have plenty of reason to cover up an assassination of a U.S. citizen to save face, we’d have to believe that ISIS tossed him out a window and then tied a cord to him and to the chimney? It just doesn’t sound plausible unless all of the details are completely made up.
Certainly, ISIS has every reason to make up an “assassination” of an U.S. citizen for propaganda purposes. I give this story 2 and a half credibility tacos out of ten.
What do y’all think?