Jordan's King: We Will Respond Strongly to ISIS Actions

King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized on Wednesday, February 4, that his country will respond strongly to the burning of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh by the Islamic State group in Syria. In a statement released by the royal court, he said, "The blood of martyr Muath al-Kasasbeh will not go in vain, and Jordan's response and that of its army to what has happened to our dear son will be severe." The statement from King Abdullah II came after an emergency meeting of Jordanian security officials and military commanders. Following the release of a video and images of the live burning of the Jordanian pilot, the king cut short his trip to the United States and returned to his country. Meanwhile, Jordan's government spokesman, Mohammad al-Momani, announced that the country would increase its role in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group. Reuters reported on Wednesday that al-Momani stated, "We are negotiating joint efforts with coalition members to intensify campaigns to stop extremism, weaken ISIS, and ultimately eliminate it." Jordan has increased its airstrikes against ISIS positions in Syria as part of the international coalition led by the U.S., and on Tuesday announced it would deliver a "strong, devastating, and earthquake-like" response to the killing of its pilot by the Islamic State forces. Al-Momani further stated that all of the country's security and military forces are weighing their options, and the world will hear Jordan's heavy response, but this reaction will be announced at an appropriate time by security and military forces. Following the killing of pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh by the Islamic State, Jordan executed two al-Qaeda prisoners on Wednesday morning. Al-Kasasbeh was captured by Islamic State forces in December, two months prior, after his F-16 fighter jet crashed in northern Syria. Meanwhile, King Salman of Saudi Arabia described the live burning of al-Kasasbeh as an "inhumane act and contrary to Islam." According to AFP, King Salman expressed his deep sorrow over the news of the "martyrdom of the Jordanian pilot" in a condolence letter to King Abdullah II. He called the actions of the Islamic State a "repugnant crime." Saudi Arabia, like Jordan, is a member of the international coalition against ISIS. The Saudi state news agency also reported on Wednesday that the country would intensify its participation in the fight against the Islamic State group alongside the international coalition.