By Max Bartels
Impunity Watch Reporter
Amman, Jordan
Two Japanese Journalists were executed in Syria after being kidnapped by ISIS militants. Last month, the two Japanese journalists were taken hostage and ISIS threatened to kill both if they did not receive a $200 million ransom. However, Japan refused to pay a ransom that high, ISIS then revised their offer and demanded that Jordan release female suicide bomber, Sajida al-Rishawi. Jordan in turn demanded that ISIS release captured fighter pilot Lt. al-Kassasbeh, who was taken hostage after his jet was shot down participating in coalition airstrikes against ISIS. At the time ISIS did not state whether the exchange deal was a possibility.
Japan, for the most part has been uninvolved in the coalition against ISIS, they provided some financial and humanitarian aide but have not committed any military assets. The video depicting the execution of one of the journalists included threats by ISIS militants addressed to the Prime Minister of Japan. The threats included that ISIS considered Japan a participant in the war against it and that they would pursue attacks on Japan, stating, “let the nightmare for Japan begin”. The executions have led to some political upheaval in Japan, who now questions their role in the coalition. Members of the political opposition group claim that the Prime Minister only announced the financial and humanitarian aide after the two journalists had been taken. The amount of aide was $200 million and the announcement came just days before the $200 million ransom demand.
Jordan on the other hand has been an active participate in the airstrike campaign against ISIS forces in Syria. The military’s participation in the coalition is unpopular among the population of Jordan and that sentiment has increased since Lt. al-Kassasbeh was taken hostage.
Just recently a video was released by ISIS purporting to show al-Kassasbeh being burned alive. The video has not yet been verified, and both the U.S and Jordan are working to verify its authenticity. Jordanian state T.V. confirmed the death and said he had been killed a month ago. The family of al-Kassasbeh has also stated that the Jordanian Armed Forces had informed them that he had been killed.
For more information, please see:
CNN — Jordan Waits, Japan Mourns After ISIS Apparently Beheads Journalists — 2 February 2015
BBC News — Jordan Vow After IS Beheading of Japan Hostage Goto — 1 February 2015
BBC News — Jordanian Pilot Hostage Moaz al-Kassasbeh ‘Burned Alive’ — 3 February 2015
