Islamic State Reportedly Kills Jordanian Pilot
By RFE RL
(RFE/RL) — A video released online by Islamic State militants on February 3 appears to show a Jordanian pilot who was captured in December being burned alive.
The video shows images of what IS militants said is the captive pilot, Maaz al-Kasaesbeh, engulfed in flames while standing inside a black metal cage.
Kasaesbeh was captured by IS militants after his F-16 fighter jet crashed on December 24 near Raqqa, Syria — the de facto capital of the group’s self-styled caliphate.
Jordan’s state television quoted the government as saying Kasaesbeh had been killed a month ago, on January 3.
Kasaesbeh had been carrying out air strikes against IS militants as part of a U.S.-led international coalition that is battling the extremist group.
Relatives of Kasaesbeh confirmed that they were informed by the head of Jordan’s armed forces on February 3 that he had been killed.
U.S. President Barack Obama said if the video is real, it is one more indication of the viciousness and the barbarity of the organization.
He said the U.S.-led coalition would “redouble the vigilance and determination” to ensure the extremist group is “ultimately defeated.”
Earlier, the White House said the U.S. intelligence community was working to authenticate the video.
