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The desperate parents of a US aid worker threatened with beheading by Islamic State militants last night said they had tried to save him, but added "we don't have the power to do it".
Paula and Ed Kassig said they had decided to break their silence about their son's yearlong captivity because "the dynamics have changed" and they fear for his life.
They said they've been doing all they can to free 26-year-old Abdul-Rahman Kassig since he was captured in Syria more than a year ago.
That includes appealing directly to his captors via YouTube and Twitter messages.
A militant threatened Kassig's beheading in an October 3 video, in retaliation for US bombing attacks. The couple told CBS This Morning that the militants had issued demands that are beyond their power to meet.
"They demand. They simply demand," Ed Kassig said.
"We have sent them back messages that we cannot do what you ask. We have tried. But we don't have the power to do it," his wife added. They did not say exactly what the militants demanded, beyond the mention of US raids in the video.

Abdul-Rahman Kassig, who was born Peter Kassig but changed his name following his conversion to Islam while in captivity, was providing medical training and humanitarian aid to victims of the Syrian conflict when he was detained on October 1, 2013.
His parents said they were silent about his plight for a year on the instructions of the Islamic State militants but decided to go public after their son was named the terror group's next victim in a video that showed the execution of British hostage Alan Henning.
The video was the fourth released by the group. Previous victims were US reporter James Foley, American-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines.
"The dynamics have changed now. Steven's family kept to secrecy, and he was executed. Peter's name has been listed," Ed Kassig said.
Paula Kassig said the couple received an audio recording of their son a couple of weeks ago in which he said he feared his time was running out.
The couple yesterday also released additional excerpts from a letter written by their son.
In it, he said he was underweight but had no physical injuries and was "holding his own" but feared his time was short.
"I hope that this all has a happy ending but it may very well be coming down to the wire here," he wrote.
Just a few days ago family and friends held a prayer service expressing hope he would survive his ordeal and lauding his willingness to help others even in the face of danger.
About 100 people attended the service for Kassig in the town of Plainfield, near Indianapolis.
"I do remain hopeful," added Joe Degas, 29, a friend of Kassig. "You have to."
Sam Pollon, 26, and his wife Sarah Pollon of Louisville, who attended Hanover College with Kassig, said there was something different about him.
Kassig would run into a fire to see who he could help as others made an orderly exit, Sam Pollon said. "I thank God that there are people like that," Pollon said.


Islamic State hostage's parents despair at being 'powerless' to help

Ed and Paula Kassig attend a vigil for their son at Butler University in Indianapolis. Photo: EPA

Abdul-Rahman

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World

US pair break silence, voice despair at plight of son taken by Islamic State


The desperate parents of a US aid worker threatened with beheading by Islamic State militants last night said they had tried to save him, but added "we don't have the power to do it".


Islamic State hostage's parents despair at being 'powerless' to help

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}US pair break silence, voice despair at plight of son taken by Islamic State

US pair break silence, voice despair at plight of son taken by Islamic State