Jordan carries out new air strikes after pilot’s murder

[1000]

Airstrikes restored but I doubt they will use ground troops.

Jordan carries out new air strikes after pilot’s murder | World news | The Guardian

Jordan said on Thursday that its warplanes had launched new strikes againstIslamic State (Isis), after promising a harsh response to the burning alive of one of its fighter pilots captured in Syria.

The announcement came as King Abdullah II paid his personal condolences to the airman’s family, which has urged the government to destroy the jihadis.

“The Jordanian air force launched raids against positions of the Islamic State group,” said a government official, who did not want to be named.

He did not disclose where or when the strikes took place, saying the military would release a statement later.

Jordan has conducted regular raids against Isis in Syria as part of a US-led campaign against the Sunni extremist group, which has seized swaths of land in both Syria and neighbouring Iraq.

More than 200,000 people have died since anti-government protests broke out in Syria in early 2011, escalating into a civil war that brought jihadis streaming into the country.

At least 57 people, including 12 children, were killed on Thursday in a barrage of government air strikes and shelling of rebel areas around the capital, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The assault on the Eastern Ghouta region came after rebels fired more than 100 rockets at Damascus, killing 10 people including a child, the British-based monitoring group said.

The murder of airman Muadh al-Kasasbeh, whom Isis captured in December when his F-16 fighter plane went down in Syria, has increased support in Jordan for stepping up military action against the jihadis.

“Jordan will wage all-out war to protect our principles and values,” the al-Rai government newspaper wrote in an editorial. “We are on the lookout for this band of criminals.”

Abdullah cut short a visit to the US and flew back to Amman on Wednesday after the video emerged of the pilot’s killing.

“The blood of martyr Muadh al-Kasasbeh will not be in vain and the response of Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe,” he said afterwards.

Jordan has also executed two Iraqis on death row, the would-be suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi and al-Qaida operative Ziad al-Karboli.

Abdullah travelled to Kassasbeh’s home town of Karak, 70 miles south of the capital, on Thursday, where a traditional mourning tent was set up for the family to receive guests.

Hundreds of people, including military representatives and civilians, gathered as the king sat next to the 26-year-old’s father, Safi.

The airman’s killing sparked outrage in Jordan and demonstrations in Amman and Karak, the bastion of Kassasbeh’s influential tribe.

The pilot’s father branded Isis militants as “infidels and terrorists who know no humanity or human rights”.

“The international community must destroy the Islamic State group,” he said.

 

[Serpentine]

One does not simply use ground troops against IS.

 

[Koovie]

One does not simply use ground troops against IS.

To start the next problem?

Only the Iraqis, Kurds and Syrians will be able to stabilize their countries and nobody else. Sending boots on foreign soil is not gonna be a longterm solution. What they need is training, equipment, air support and humanitarian help

 

[1000]

I think Raqqa needs cheap unguided Su-25 bombardment, it's full of terrorists and their supporters, others have already left. Iraq should place more orders.

 

[Alshawi1234]

Anti-IS tribes of Anbar have been calling for all the help they could get in the battle against IS. After failing to secure the needed assistance, they called on American troops and even shia volunteers to assist them. They have been calling for foriegn troops to come in but the federal government has so far refused.

The Kurds make their own choices, they happily accepted Iranian assistance, with masrour Barzani thanking Iran publicly for their assistance this week.

One local sunni politician has also called on Iran for help after failing to secure backing.

TBH, I think the best solution is for an Arab coalition to help the Sunni tribes in Anbar. But it's going to be a mess since at least 40% of the population support IS. 10% are battling IS while the rest prefer to live in tents and stay away from the battles.

 

[al-Hasani]

I think Raqqa needs cheap unguided Su-25 bombardment, it's full of terrorists and their supporters, others have already left. Iraq should place more orders.

If somehow all civilians trapped in cities/villages controlled by Daesh were able to escape and all the invaluable ancient Arab/Semitic treasures were left unharmed and plans were in place to rebuilt those cities then carpet bombing those cities to the ground would be something I could support.

Not realistic though.

Anti-IS tribes of Anbar have been calling for all the help they could get in the battle against IS. After failing to secure the needed assistance, they called on American troops and even shia volunteers to assist them. They have been calling for foriegn troops to come in but the federal government has so far refused.

The Kurds make their own choices, they happily accepted Iranian assistance, with masrour Barzani thanking Iran publicly for their assistance this week.

One local sunni politician has also called on Iran for help after failing to secure backing.

TBH, I think the best solution is for an Arab coalition to help the Sunni tribes in Anbar. But it's going to be a mess since at least 40% of the population support IS. 10% are battling IS while the rest prefer to live in tents and stay away from the battles.

The worst thing is that you have people from the same family, clan, tribe etc. who support the various fractions. It's a huge mess. In for instance Ramadi you have pro-Daesh neighborhoods and anti-Daesh neighborhoods. Also it's impossible to know if the people there truly support Daesh or if they are forced to support them or pretend to support them. Reading Arabic forums I get a feeling that it's difficult to find out what is correct and what is not.

Once thing is to dislike the Iraqi regime and army and then cheer for Daesh another thing is to 100% support Daesh rule, vision etc. when you become part of their world fully. I am sure that even most locals in Fallujah are against Daesh rule by now.

It's like 2006 and 2007 are repeating itself but a part of me also believes that they are guilty of this situation themselves to a large extent regardless of the criticism they might have in regards to the Iraqi regime and army.

Seeing a blog like this confirms my suspicion.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently ·

I think that the regional countries fear a backlash. Including the Arab countries. There is also mistrust. It's not like in the EU where everyone could unite in such a situation and do what they preach. The ME is very much like Europe before WW1 and before WW2. Uncertainty rules supreme.

I believe that all actors can agree with the need to remove Daesh but not necessarily how and many are not necessarily willing to engage 100% in a conflict that they see as a Iraqi and Syrian matter. No matter if the conflict also impacts them but in a much lesser way.

Also then there are all the costs. Yes, the GCC for instance are not poor to say the least neither Turkey but wars are still extremely costly and we live in a time where the global financial crisis is still a huge problem. For instance the GCC might be growing as a economy but we live in a globalized world and thus also economy.

It's all very complicated.

Local anti-Daesh Anbaris will welcome ground forces from Jordan, KSA with open arms but the pro-Daesh locals will see them as foreign invaders and put a bigger price on their head than locals etc. Also Al-Abadi despite being 100 times better than Al-Maliki is probably still influenced a lot by the Iranian regime and they would hate to see Arab ground forces in Iraq even if they were to fight Daesh.

Also what would the Shia Arabs in the South think about it? Anyway I agree that this would most likely give additional "legitimacy" to the fight against Daesh and show the local pro-Daesh retards that the Arab world is against them. Really since 2003 people have become so much radicalized and extreme in their though process (of course far from all) that it's going to be messy regardless.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Carpet bombing should be permissible as there is no good people left in rakka only the scum and filth.

 

[1000]

If somehow all civilians trapped in cities/villages controlled by Daesh were able to escape and all the invaluable ancient Arab/Semitic treasures were left unharmed and plans were in place to rebuilt those cities then carpet bombing those cities to the ground would be something I could support.

Not realistic though.

Civillians/children will die in any bombardment, whether laser-guided bombs or unguided bombs. ISIS doesn't care either when they send suicide bombers, they use others as human shields. But without bombs the war won't be won. As for places like Fallujah, as time goes by the US becomes more agressive, one day they'll return to 2004 levels carpet bombing places like Fallujah which won't be good for the locals supporting ISIS.

 

[al-Hasani]

Civillians/children will die in any bombardment, whether laser-guided bombs or unguided bombs. ISIS doesn't care either when they send suicide bombers, they use others as human shields. But without bombs the war won't be won. As for places like Fallujah, as time goes by the US becomes more agressive, one day they'll return to 2004 levels carpet bombing places like Fallujah which won't be good for the locals supporting ISIS.

I am just against the killings of innocents and especially children and I know that many people are trapped in the Daesh controlled areas and cannot escape because Deash will kill them. So either they get killed by Daesh or bombardments. This is not fair and I am against this.

Of course the war against all terrorist groups in the ME is brutal and will be even more brutal if they are to be defeated. Just giving my opinion here.

 

[janon]

Good, rain the fires of hell on them.

 

[Imran Khan]

carpet bombardment is only way left to clean raqqa

 

[SALMAN F]

King Abdullah looks tough and ready
Like this guy

 

[Schutz]

tactical nukes would do the job better

 

[Al Bhatti]

February 6, 2015

According to the Jordanian government, consecutive airstrikes were launched to demolish strongholds and holes of the terror organisation Daesh. The aircraft attacked positions that include training centres belonging to the terror organisation as well as ammunition warehouses. All the targets that were attacked were destroyed and that the fighter jets returned to their bases safely.

A bomb with Koranic verses is pictured on a Royal Jordanian Air Force plane at an air base before it's launch to strike the Islamic state in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

A Royal Jordanian Air Force plane takes off from an air base to strike Daesh in the Syrian city of Raqqa February 5, 2015. According to the Jordanian government, consecutive airstrikes were launched to demolish strongholds and holes of the terror organisation Daesh. The aircraft attacked positions that include training centres belonging to the terror organisation as well as ammunition warehouses. All the targets that were attacked were destroyed and that the aircrafts returned to their bases safely.

An image grab taken from the Jordanian TV on February 5, 2015 shows flames erupting from a building hit by an airstrike against Daesh group by warplanes of the Jordanian Air forces eagles at an undisclosed location. Jordan said its warplanes launched dozens of new strikes against the group "hitting training camps of the terrorist groups as well as weapons and ammunition warehouses", in response to the burning alive of a Jordanian pilot captured in Syria.

Jordan's Queen Rania (centre) offers her condolences to the family of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh, at their family home of Muath in the city of Karak February 5, 2015. Jordanian fighter jets pounded Daesh hideouts in Syria on Thursday and then roared over the hometown of a pilot killed by the militants, while below them King Abdullah consoled the victim's family.


Jordan warplanes strike Daesh after pilot murder
US jets escort Jordanian fighter planes after pilot's burning

Jordan said on Friday its warplanes launched dozens of new strikes Thursday against the Islamic State group, after vowing a harsh response to the burning alive of a pilot captured in Syria.

The news came as scores of people were killed when rebels unleashed rocket fire on Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad's forces retaliated.

Jordan's military said "dozens of jet fighters" struck Daesh targets on Thursday morning, "hitting training camps of the terrorist groups as well as weapons and ammunition warehouses".

It did not say where the targets were located - Daesh holds swathes of Syria and Iraq - but said they were destroyed and the aircraft returned home safely.

American F-16 and F-22 jets provided security to the Jordanian fighter planes, with additional support from refueling tankers and surveillance aircraft, US officials said.

Rescue capabilities boosted

Washington has also deployed aircraft and troops to northern Iraq to boost capabilities to rescue downed pilots fighting with the international coalition that is battling Daesh, a US defence official told AFP.

Daesh have released a highly choreographed video of the horrifying murder of pilot, Lt Muath Kaseasbeh, whose death has sparked grief and deep anger in Jordan.

Jordan's military has pledged to "destroy this terrorist group and kill the evil in its own place", saying it would punish IS for the "heinous act" of burning him alive.

King Abdullah II visited the airman's family, who have urged the government to "destroy" the jihadists, to pay his condolences.

Jordan has conducted regular raids against Daesh across the border in Syria as part of a US-led campaign against the Sunni extremist group.

More than 200,000 people have died since anti-government protests erupted in Syria in early 2011, escalating into a multi-sided civil war that brought jihadists streaming into the country.

At least 66 people, including 12 children, were killed by regime air strikes and shelling on rebel areas around Damascus Thursday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The assault on the Eastern Ghouta region came after rebels fired more than 100 rockets at the city, killing 10 people including a child, the Britain-based group said.

Protests after death video

The gruesome murder of Muath Al Kaseasbeh, captured by Daesh in December after his F-16 crashed in Syria, has increased support in Jordan for stepped-up military action against the jihadists.

"Jordan will wage all-out war to protect our principles and values," government newspaper Al-Rai wrote in an editorial.

The execution has sparked outrage in Jordan and protests in Amman and Karak, bastion of Kassaesbeh's influential tribe.

Solidarity demonstrations with the family are planned for nationwide after Friday's weekly Muslim prayers.

Abdullah cut short a US visit and returned to Amman Wednesday after the video of Kassasbeh's killing emerged.

"The blood of martyr Muath Al Kaseasbeh will not be in vain and the response of Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe," he said afterwards.

Abdullah travelled Thursday 120 kilometres (74 miles) south of Amman to Karak, where a traditional mourning tent was set up for Kassaesbeh's family.


Hundreds of people gathered as the king sat next to the 26-year-old first lieutenant's father.

'Infidels and terrorists'

Safi Al-Kassasbeh branded Daesh "infidels and terrorists who know no humanity or human rights", and said the "international community must destroy" the group.

Daesh had offered to spare Kaseasbeh's life and free Japanese journalist Kenji Goto - who was later beheaded - in exchange for Rishawi's release.

Rishawi, 44, was sentenced to death for her role in triple hotel bombings in Amman in 2005 that killed 60 people.

She was closely linked to Daesh's predecessor organisation in Iraq, and was seen as an important symbol for the jihadists.

Jordanian television suggested Kaseasbeh was killed on January 3, before Daesh offered to spare him and free Goto in return for Rishawi's release.

Following the airman's capture, another member of the US-led coalition, the United Arab Emirates, withdrew from air strike missions over fears for the safety of its pilots, a US official said.


On Thursday, the US military said it was "repositioning some assets" to northern Iraq in a move designed to shorten the response time needed to reach pilots who end up in Daesh-held territory.

US President Barack Obama, who hosted King Abdullah in a hastily organised meeting before his return to Jordan, decried the "cowardice and depravity" of Daesh.

Daesh had previously beheaded two US journalists, an American aid worker and two British aid workers in similar videos. It has also killed a second Japanese hostage.

Jordan warplanes strike Daesh after pilot murder | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

In order to avoid another pilot being captured by ISIL, the United States military moved search-and-rescue aircraft to northern Iraq.

Previously, the closest such aircraft were in Kuwait.