Jordan: A video published online by Islamic State militants’ claims to show Jordanian hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive. The video, which could not immediately be verified, showed a man standing in a cage and engulfed in flames.
The two prisoners included the would-be female suicide bomber from al-Qaida, Sajida al-Rishawi, whose release was demanded by the militants in exchange of the Jordanian pilot’s life.
The pilot’s gruesome death sparked outrage and street demonstrations in Jordan, where the country’s participation in the anti-IS coalition has not been popular. The video emerged after a weeklong drama over a possible prisoner exchange for al-Rishawi.
The Jordanian military confirmed the death of 26-year-old Lt Muath Al-Kaseasbeh, who was captured by the extremists in December when his F-16 crashed while he was flying a mission as part of the US.-led air campaign against the Islamic State group. He was the first airman participating in the US.-led bombing raids against Islamic State positions in Syria and Iraq to be captured by the militants.
A man purported to be Islamic State captive Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh is seen standing in a cage in this still image from an undated video filmed from an undisclosed location made available on social media.
The video was released three days after another video showed the purported beheading of a Japanese journalist, Kenji Goto, who was captured by Islamic State in October. The militants had linked the fates of the pilot and the journalist. A second Japanese hostage was apparently killed earlier last month.
In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the pilot’s killing as “a despicable terrorist activity.” From our hearts, we express solidarity with the Jordanian government and people,” Abe said, reading a statement.
“We will not give in to terrorism,” he added. “Our country will actively contribute, along with the international community, and we will fulfil our responsibility in the international community to fighting terrorism.
Bureau Report
Leave a Reply