The Jordanian air force has carried out a renewed round of airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Syria in revenge for the murder of pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh.
Dozens of fighter jets bombed buildings such as training centres and weapons storage sites. According to the military, all targets were destroyed in the operation, dubbed "Moaz the Martyr".
Days after militants released a video of Kasasbeh being burnt alive, Jordan has released a retaliatory video showing its latest airstrikes and the preparations. Men and women in military uniforms write messages on the bombs, with one saying: "From a brave Jordanian woman to you Baghdadi."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A pilot also holds up a sign from his cockpit which reads: "And do not think that God is unaware of what the evildoers are doing."
Later in the video, several buildings appear to be blown up, with plumes of fire and smoke rising into the air.
On their return to Jordan, the planes performed a series of low flyovers above Ay, the hillside village of Kasasbeh, as Jordanian King Abdullah II met his grieving family for a memorial service.
The king has vowed to exact revenge for Kasasbeh's death and to step up the fight against the militant group until they are defeated.
e is reportedly considering expanding Jordan's role to conduct airstrikes on IS in Iraq, something "no Arab member of the coalition has done in the six-month campaign", says the Wall Street Journal.
"Thursday's airstrikes marked a first step in what many Jordanians hope will become an escalating confrontation in retaliation for the killing," says the newspaper.
Kasasbeh was captured by IS last year after his F-16 fighter jet crashed in Syria. The US military has since sent rescue aircraft to northern Iraq to help any pilots downed by the militants, a move that might encourage Arab nations to take part in more strikes on Iraq.
-
Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health researchThe explainer There is no FDA-approved testosterone product for women
-
Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025
-
Magazine printables - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
