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British hostage appears in latest Islamic State propaganda video

A British journalist held hostage by Islamic State has appeared in a new propaganda video filmed in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

Since he was last seen in another IS video from July, John Cantlie's face looks markedly thinner and his beard longer.

In the clip, Cantlie discusses airstrikes and damage to infrastructure by coalition force attacks.

John Cantlie has been a hostage for four years. Photo: AAP
John Cantlie has been a hostage for four years. Photo: AAP
A photograph of Cantlie before he was taken hostage. Photo: Twitter
A photograph of Cantlie before he was taken hostage. Photo: Twitter

He said the city once had five bridges crossing the Tigris River but now only one remains, blaming the destruction on the Iraqi forces.

The target of the attacks is the 'Mujahideen' or jihadi groups, but Cantlie said the coalition is searching in the wrong places.

"There are no Mujahideen here," he said.

"Mujahideen are fighting on the frontlines, many kilometres [away].

"You have to ask yourself, if this is the coalition's war against the Mujahideen, then why are they waging it against Muslims of Mosul?"

A massive government military operation to recapture Mosul from IS militants has entered its seventh week.

Iraqi Special Forces soldiers stand near a fire on the main road from Erbil to Mosul. Photo: AP
Iraqi Special Forces soldiers stand near a fire on the main road from Erbil to Mosul. Photo: AP

Cantlie has now appeared in eight propaganda videos for Islamic State.

The 45-year-old was captured by ISIS in Syria in November 22, 2012 but has been kept alive by the bloodthirsty organisation for propaganda purposes.

He was captured along with American journalist James Foley, who was beheaded by the group in August 2014.