Killing of Jordanian pilot will strengthen coalition, says Obama

Jordan's King Abdullah cut short a visit to Washington yesterday following the posting of images of the execution by Islamic State (IS) of captured Jordanian air force pilot Muath Kaseasbeh.

He appeared to have been burned alive in a metal cage.

The king called the murder “cowardly terror by a criminal group that has no relations to Islam. It’s the daily duty of all citizens to stand together.”

US president Barack Obama said the video was further evidence of IS "viciousness and barbarity", adding that the video would redouble the determination of the US-led coalition to "degrade and defeat" the cult. The White House has pledged to devote "all resources" to locating and rescuing all hostages held by IS.

The Jordanian military confirmed the death of the pilot and has vowed to avenge the execution.

Six fundamentalists detained in Jordanian prisons have been moved to a facility where executions are carried out. Among them was failed suicide bomber Sajida Rishawi.

Lt Kaseasbeh (26) was captured in December when his aircraft went down during a bombing mission near Raqqa, the IS capital in north central Syria. Jordanian television declared he was killed on January 3rd, although IS had offered to spare his life and free Japanese hostage Kenji Goto in exchange for the release of Rishawi.

Mr Goto was beheaded last weekend when negotiations became deadlocked after Amman demanded proof that Lt Kaseasbeh was alive.

The manner of Lt Kaseasbeh’s death is likely to deepen divisions in Jordan over the kingdom’s participation in the coalition, but could also strengthen the determination of the government to remain an active partner in the battle against IS.

The pilot's father, Safi Kaseasbeh, was among the opponents of Jordanian involvement in the anti-IS campaign.