Jordanian king vows 'harsh, relentless' war against Isis following murder of pilot

King Abdullah II of Jordan has personally vowed to wage a ‘harsh’ war against Isis following the murder of pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh.

King Abdullah cut short a trip to the US following the release of a video in which a captured Jordanian, First Lieutenant al-Kasaesbeh, is murdered by immolation.


And the king has promised that the death of the F-16 pilot ‘will not be in vain’ and promisd retribution as he consulted with military chiefs at a crisis meeting.

‘This terrorist organization is not only fighting us, but also fighting Islam and its pure values,’ he said.

Al-Kasaesbeh’s death prompted an outcry in Jordan

‘The blood of martyr Muath al-Kasaesbeh will not be in vain and the response of Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe.’

King Abdullah’s return from the US was greeted by a crowd several thousand strong, with supporters holding photos of the monarch and the country’s flag.

Jordan, who part of a US-led coalition to topple Isis, sought to secure al-Kasaesbeh’s release by exchanging Iraqi terrorist Sajida al-Rishawi for the pilot but negotiations fell through after the terror group failed to provide proof he was alive.

Jordan executed al-Rishawi and fellow convict Ziad al-Karbouly, both of whom had links to al-Qaeda, after it emerged al-Kasaesbeh had been killed.