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Jordan executes convicted jihadists after pilot's death Jordan executes convicted jihadists after pilot's death
(about 2 hours 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: Paul Adams, BBC News, Amman
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. This morning, the talk is all of revenge. Newspapers scream for it in their headlines and Lt Kasasbeh's father has asked the Jordanian government and US-led coalition to exact it. The process has already begun, but to what effect?
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 two prisoners hanged had both already received death penalties. Jordan had quietly forgotten them until IS suddenly demanded the release of Sajida al-Rishawi.
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. Neither al-Rishawi nor the other executed prisoner, Ziyad Karboli, were members of IS. Their only tenuous connection to the group was as members of its brutal precursor, al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Last week, Jordan was willing to exchange al-Rishawi for Lt Kasasbeh, but it now seems certain the pilot was already dead. IS strung Jordan along in order to foster doubt among Jordanians over the wisdom of their participation in the US-led coalition. It's a tactic that has, to a certain extent, worked.
With the murdered pilot's powerful tribe demanding revenge, Wednesday's executions were probably inevitable. But having bowed to tribal instinct, King Abdullah must now find a way to get back on the front foot, at a time when others seem to be dictating events.
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.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 hostageTimeline: Jordanian pilot held hostage
24 December 2014: Jordanian Lt Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh captured by IS after his plane crashes24 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 mercy25 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 hours20 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 body24 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 Jordan24 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 Kasasbeh28 January: Jordan offers to release Rishawi in exchange for Lt Kasasbeh
29 January: Deadline to kill Lt Kasasbeh and Mr Goto expires29 January: Deadline to kill Lt Kasasbeh and Mr Goto expires
31 January: Video released appearing to show Kenji Goto's body31 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 earlier3 February: Video released appearing to show Lt Kasasbeh burnt alive, with Jordanian media suggesting he was killed weeks earlier
Profile: Lt Moaz al-KasasbehProfile: Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh