Jordan: ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is 'frightened'


As Jordan continues its bombing campaign against the Islamic State, the head of the country's air force says that the onslaught is making ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "frightened."
"[ISIS leadership] always hide and they are always on the move but we have assets always in the air for an opportunity to target al-Baghdadi and his gang," Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Jabour told NBC News. If al-Baghdadi isn't scared, he added, then "let him show himself to us and he'll see what we can do against him."
The intensified campaign was brought on by the murder of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh, who was burned alive by ISIS. "We decided to get revenge for all the Jordanians," al-Jabour said. "We have proclaimed this the 'Muath Air Campaign.'" He also stated that the air force won't hesitate to kill al-Baghdadi, whose whereabouts are unknown. His last public appearance was in July 2014, when he announced inside a Mosul mosque that he had established a caliphate.
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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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