Islamic State Group Claims to Have Burned Jordanian Pilot Alive

The Islamic State group has released a video claiming that they have burned alive a captured Jordanian pilot. The pilot was taken prisoner after his plane crashed in Syria in December. According to reports, the video shows a man believed to be Moaz al-Kasasbeh struggling in a metal cage amidst flames. Family members of the Jordanian pilot told Reuters that the country's army commander informed them of their son's death. Meanwhile, Jordan's state television stated that Moaz al-Kasasbeh was actually killed last month. The television added that the Jordanian pilot was killed on January 3, prior to the Islamic State group's offer to spare his life in exchange for the release of two Japanese hostages and the Iraqi female bomber Sajida al-Rishawi. Jordan has demanded proof of the pilot's survival before proceeding with any prisoner exchange with the Islamic State group. In the video and images circulated online, the man burning is wearing an orange jumpsuit similar to those worn by other captives of the Islamic State group who have been killed in recent months. The group, which has released multiple videos of beheadings of its captives, claimed to have killed two Japanese hostages last week. Since the start of U.S. and allied attacks on their positions in Iraq and Syria last July, Islamic State militants have faced intense pressure and have lost some of the territory they controlled. On the other hand, U.S. President Barack Obama stated on Tuesday that if the alleged video of the Jordanian pilot being burned alive is authentic, it reflects the 'barbarity' of such an organization. He said, 'If this video is authentic, it reflects the evil and barbaric nature of this group.' Mr. Obama added that with increased readiness and resolve in the global coalition, the Islamic State group 'will ultimately be defeated.' The U.S. President stated that this group is only seeking slaughter and destruction. Meanwhile, the Jordanian army, following the announcement of their pilot's death, vowed to avenge his blood. General Mamdouh al-Ameri, a spokesman for the army, stated, 'The blood of the martyr will not be in vain, and... retribution will be proportional to this tragedy that has grieved all Jordanians.' Reports indicate that King Abdullah of Jordan will cut short his trip to the U.S. and return home. He is scheduled to meet and discuss with Barack Obama on Tuesday. In another development, Jordanian security sources have stated that Sajida al-Rishawi, the Iraqi woman accused of bombing, will be executed on Wednesday. Rishawi, who is accused of participating in the 2005 bombings in Amman, has been sentenced to death, but her sentence has not yet been carried out. Now, a Jordanian security official, who wished to remain anonymous, says that 'her execution, along with other Islamist militants including Ziad Karbuli, a member of al-Qaeda, and others who have attacked Jordan's interests, will be carried out.' According to AFP, Mohammed Momani, the government spokesman and Minister of Communications of Jordan, also stated, 'Jordan will respond decisively.' He said, 'Anyone who doubts the unity of Jordanians will be proven wrong.' The Minister of Communications added, 'The Jordanian pilot did not belong to any specific tribe or come from a ruling family; he was the son of all Jordanians.'