Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor
DAMASCUS, Syria – The Jordanian government claims to have carried out 56 airstrikes against the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (ISIS) over the past three days marking a major escalation in the state’s role in coalition airstrikes against ISIS. “We achieved what we aimed at,” Air Force chief General Mansour al-Jbour, head of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, said. The airstrikes targeted ISIS logistics sites and suspected hideouts. While Jordan has carried out nearly 20% of all maneuvers by the US-led coalition against ISIS in Syria since the campaign began the recent surge in Jordanian efforts comes just days after a video showing the brutal emulation of a Jordanian pilot was released by the terror group sparking outrage in Jordan and around the world. According to General Jbour Jordan is now “determined to wipe them from the face of the Earth.”
The video showing the brutal murder of the Jordanian piolet, Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh, aged 26, who was captured by ISIS late last year, was released on the internet by ISIS earlier this week. The video showed the young hostage being burned alive in a cage. Jordanian officials now believe Moaz al-Kasasbeh was murdered several weeks ago despite ISIS claims that he was still alive and the group’s attempts to use him as a bargaining chip.
“We have achieved our goals in revenge for Muath” after the recent strikes were carried out, Gen. Mansour al-Jbour said at a press briefing. “But this isn’t the end. Airstrikes carried out over the weekend hit several targets including ammunition depots. The goal of the most recent airstrikes was to break the ISIS command structure, disrupt revenue sources, destroy training centers and interfere with logistics.
Recent video footage released by the United States Central Command shows footage of airstrikes carried out by Jordanian forces against an ISIS target. The video was released on 5 February and shows a target hit near Hasaka, Syria. “The destruction of [ISIS] targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group’s ability to project terror and conduct operations,” CENTCOM said in statement posted with the video on YouTube.
General Mansour Al-Jbour claimed that ISIS has lost 20% of its military capabilities since the start of U.S. led coalition airstrikes in September of last year. Jordan’s King Abdullah has vowed to avenge the killing of Muath al- Kasasbeh and has ordered his commanders to prepare for an increased military role in the fight against ISIS.
For more information please see:
Al Arabiya – Jordan: ISIS Lost 20% of Its Military Capabilities – 8 February 2015
BBC News –D Islamic State Crisis: Jordan Air Strikes ‘Destroy’ IS Hideouts – 8 February 2015
The Wall Street Journal – Jordan Threatens More Strikes against Islamic State – 8 February 2015
Al Arabiya – Syria’s Hasaka – 7 February 2015
