Jordan Resumes Bombing Islamic State Positions After Killing of Its Pilot

The Jordanian government announced on Thursday, February 5, that its fighter jets have resumed attacks against Islamic State positions. Jordan had previously stated that it would respond vigorously to the live burning of its military pilot by the Islamic State group. France Press reported from Amman that the news of these attacks coincided with King Abdullah II's personal condolences to the family of the deceased pilot and their request to the government for the destruction of 'jihadist' fighters, reflecting the deep anger of the Jordanian people towards this brutal killing. An unnamed Jordanian government official said, 'The Jordanian Air Force has resumed attacks against Islamic State positions.' The official did not provide details on the timing and exact location of these attacks but mentioned that the army would issue a statement subsequently. Jordan, in cooperation with the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State group, had previously conducted numerous airstrikes against ISIS positions controlling large areas of Syria and Iraq. Since the beginning of anti-government protests in Syria in 2011, over 200,000 people have lost their lives. These protests have now turned into a multi-faceted civil war, attracting extremist fighters to the country. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 57 people, including 12 children, were killed on Thursday in airstrikes by the Syrian government and shelling of rebel-held areas around Damascus, the capital. The organization, based in Britain, added that the government forces' attack on the Ghouta area east of Damascus came after more than 100 rockets were fired by rebels at the capital, resulting in the deaths of 10 people, including one child. The horrific killing of Muath al-Kasasbeh, the Jordanian pilot who was captured by the Islamic State after his plane crashed in Syria, has increased public support in Jordan for intensifying military operations against jihadist fighters. In an editorial in the state newspaper 'Al-Rai' published in Amman, it was written: 'Jordan will enter a full-scale war to defend our values and principles. We will pursue this criminal group.' The King of Jordan returned to Amman on Wednesday after the release of a video showing the killing of the pilot, cutting short his trip to the United States. He stated, 'The blood of martyr Muath al-Kasasbeh will not go in vain, and the response of Jordan and its army will be severe following what happened to our dear son.' In response to the killing of its pilot, Jordan executed Sajida al-Rishawi, a suicide bomber, and Ziad Karbuli, an al-Qaeda member, both Iraqis and sentenced to death. On Thursday, the King visited the city of Karak, the hometown of the Jordanian pilot, located 120 kilometers from the capital, and attended a traditional mourning ceremony in a tent set up by his family. Hundreds of people, including representatives of the armed forces and government offices, accompanied the King, who wore a red and white keffiyeh, sitting alongside the father of the 26-year-old Air Force captain. The father of the deceased pilot referred to the Islamic State group as 'infidels and terrorists' who 'have no sense of humanity and human rights.' He stated, 'The international community must eliminate the Islamic State group.' The Islamic State group had proposed to release Kenji Goto, a Japanese journalist, in exchange for Sajida al-Rishawi's freedom and not to kill Muath al-Kasasbeh. Sajida al-Rishawi, a 44-year-old Iraqi woman, was sentenced to death for her involvement in a bombing at a hotel in Amman in 2005 that killed 60 people. She had close ties to al-Qaeda and held symbolic importance for extremist fighters. Jordanian television reported that Muath al-Kasasbeh was killed on January 3, before the ISIS group's promise to release him in exchange for Rishawi's freedom. An American official stated that after the capture of the Jordanian pilot, the United Arab Emirates ceased participating in airstrikes due to concerns for the safety of its pilots. The official confirmed to France Press, 'I can confirm the UAE's non-participation in airstrikes following the downing of the Jordanian fighter jet.' Barack Obama, the President of the United States, who was hosting King Abdullah's unfinished visit to Washington, described the actions of the ISIS group as 'cowardly and destructive.' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also called the brutality of the Islamic State group 'unimaginable.'