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Jordan executes convicted jihadists after pilot's death | Jordan executes convicted jihadists after pilot's death |
(35 minutes later) | |
Jordan has executed two convicts, including a female jihadist, following the killing of one of its air force pilots by Islamic State (IS) militants. | Jordan has executed two convicts, including a female jihadist, following the killing of one of its air force pilots by Islamic State (IS) militants. |
The woman, failed suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi, and al-Qaeda operative Ziyad Karboli - both Iraqi nationals - were hanged at dawn, officials said. | The woman, failed suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi, and al-Qaeda operative Ziyad Karboli - both Iraqi nationals - were hanged at dawn, officials said. |
The executions came hours after IS posted a video appearing to show pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive. | The executions came hours after IS posted a video appearing to show pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive. |
He was seized after crashing during an anti-IS mission over Syria in December. | He was seized after crashing during an anti-IS mission over Syria in December. |
Jordan had attempted to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release in a swap involving Rishawi. | Jordan had attempted to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release in a swap involving Rishawi. |
She had been on death row for her role in attacks in Jordan's capital, Amman, which killed 60 people in 2005. | She had been on death row for her role in attacks in Jordan's capital, Amman, which killed 60 people in 2005. |
Karboli was convicted in 2008 for killing a Jordanian national. | Karboli was convicted in 2008 for killing a Jordanian national. |
'Punishment and revenge' | 'Punishment and revenge' |
The two prisoners were executed at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT), government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said on Wednesday morning. | The two prisoners were executed at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT), government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said on Wednesday morning. |
Jordan earlier vowed an "earth-shattering" response after IS posted a video online showing what militants say is the pilot standing in a cage engulfed in flames. | Jordan earlier vowed an "earth-shattering" response after IS posted a video online showing what militants say is the pilot standing in a cage engulfed in flames. |
Mamdouh al-Ameri, a spokesman for the Jordanian armed forces, said on Tuesday that Lt Kasasbeh had "fallen as a martyr". | Mamdouh al-Ameri, a spokesman for the Jordanian armed forces, said on Tuesday that Lt Kasasbeh had "fallen as a martyr". |
"His blood will not be shed in vain. Our punishment and revenge will be as huge as the loss of the Jordanians." | "His blood will not be shed in vain. Our punishment and revenge will be as huge as the loss of the Jordanians." |
Jordanian state TV reported that Lt Kasasbeh was killed a month ago. | Jordanian state TV reported that Lt Kasasbeh was killed a month ago. |
Jordan, which is part of the US-led coalition against IS, had tried to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release as part of a prisoner swap, offering to free Rishawi in exchange. | Jordan, which is part of the US-led coalition against IS, had tried to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release as part of a prisoner swap, offering to free Rishawi in exchange. |
But IS had sought her release as part of a deal to free captive Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. A video that appeared to show Goto's dead body was posted online four days ago. | But IS had sought her release as part of a deal to free captive Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. A video that appeared to show Goto's dead body was posted online four days ago. |
Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent | Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent |
One thing is clear from this video - Islamic State never had any intention of releasing the young Jordanian pilot. According to Jordanian state media he was killed on 3 January, well before the supposed prisoner exchange talks moved into high gear. | One thing is clear from this video - Islamic State never had any intention of releasing the young Jordanian pilot. According to Jordanian state media he was killed on 3 January, well before the supposed prisoner exchange talks moved into high gear. |
The cynical manipulation of this episode by IS shows the importance it affords to information warfare - here an attempt to create problems for the Jordanian authorities and to weaken the Arab-Western coalition, at a time when it appears to be struggling to make dramatic headway against IS on the ground. | The cynical manipulation of this episode by IS shows the importance it affords to information warfare - here an attempt to create problems for the Jordanian authorities and to weaken the Arab-Western coalition, at a time when it appears to be struggling to make dramatic headway against IS on the ground. |
This is the problem for the coalition. Its air campaign is in many ways a stop-gap intended to halt the progress of IS, but requiring effective troops on the ground to significantly turn back its advance. | This is the problem for the coalition. Its air campaign is in many ways a stop-gap intended to halt the progress of IS, but requiring effective troops on the ground to significantly turn back its advance. |
The BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, says that in a world already shocked by the calculated cruelty of IS actions, this latest video is aimed at public opinion in Jordan and other Arab countries. | |
Jordan's King Abdullah hailed Lt Kasasbeh as a hero, saying Jordan must "stand united" in the face of hardship. | Jordan's King Abdullah hailed Lt Kasasbeh as a hero, saying Jordan must "stand united" in the face of hardship. |
The king decided to cut short a visit to the US after news of the pilot's death, but he met President Barack Obama on Tuesday evening before flying home. | The king decided to cut short a visit to the US after news of the pilot's death, but he met President Barack Obama on Tuesday evening before flying home. |
Many in Jordan have questioned its role in the air strikes against IS but the two leaders sought to reaffirm their joint resolve to destroy the group. | Many in Jordan have questioned its role in the air strikes against IS but the two leaders sought to reaffirm their joint resolve to destroy the group. |
Mr Obama earlier said that if the video was real, it would be "one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity" of IS. | Mr Obama earlier said that if the video was real, it would be "one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity" of IS. |
"I think it will redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of the global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated," Mr Obama said. | "I think it will redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of the global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated," Mr Obama said. |
Timeline: Jordanian pilot held hostage | Timeline: Jordanian pilot held hostage |
24 December 2014: Jordanian Lt Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh captured by IS after his plane crashes | 24 December 2014: Jordanian Lt Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh captured by IS after his plane crashes |
25 December 2014: Pilot's father urges IS to show mercy | 25 December 2014: Pilot's father urges IS to show mercy |
20 January 2015: IS threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless Japan pays $200m ransom within 72 hours | 20 January 2015: IS threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless Japan pays $200m ransom within 72 hours |
24 January: IS releases video of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding a picture apparently showing Haruna Yukawa's decapitated body | 24 January: IS releases video of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding a picture apparently showing Haruna Yukawa's decapitated body |
24 January: IS calls for release of Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi militant sentenced to death in Jordan | 24 January: IS calls for release of Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi militant sentenced to death in Jordan |
28 January: Jordan offers to release Rishawi in exchange for Lt Kasasbeh | 28 January: Jordan offers to release Rishawi in exchange for Lt Kasasbeh |
29 January: Deadline to kill Lt Kasasbeh and Mr Goto expires | 29 January: Deadline to kill Lt Kasasbeh and Mr Goto expires |
31 January: Video released appearing to show Kenji Goto's body | 31 January: Video released appearing to show Kenji Goto's body |
3 February: Video released appearing to show Lt Kasasbeh burnt alive, with Jordanian media suggesting he was killed weeks earlier | 3 February: Video released appearing to show Lt Kasasbeh burnt alive, with Jordanian media suggesting he was killed weeks earlier |
Profile: Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh | Profile: Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh |