Jordan bombs IS after pilot death

[webfact]

Jordan launches new airstrikes after vowing harsh war on IS
By KARIN LAUB and MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

As part of the new campaign, Jordan is also attacking targets in Iraq, said Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. Up to now, Jordan had struck IS targets in Syria, but not Iraq, as part of a U.S.-led military coalition.

"We said we are going to take this all the way, we are going to go after them wherever they are and we're doing that," Judeh told Fox News.

Asked if Jordan was now carrying out attacks in both countries, he said: "That's right. Today more Syria than Iraq, but like I said it's an ongoing effort."

"They're in Iraq and they are in Syria and therefore you have to target them wherever they are," he added.

The militant group controls about one-third of each Syria and Iraq, both neighbors of Jordan. In September, Jordan joined the U.S.-led military alliance that has been carrying out air strikes against the militants.

The Jordanian military said dozens of fighter jets were involved in Thursday's strikes on training centers and weapons storage sites.

State TV showed footage of the attacks, including fighter jets taking off from an air base and bombs setting of large balls of fire and smoke after impact. It showed Jordanian troops scribble messages in chalk on the missiles. "For you, the enemies of Islam," read one message.

The military's statement, read on state TV, was entitled, "This is the beginning and you will get to know the Jordanians" — an apparent warning to IS. It said the strikes will continue "until we eliminate them."

Jordan's King Abdullah II was paying a condolence visit to the family of the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, in southern Jordan when the fighter jets roared overhead.

The king pointed upward, toward the planes, as he sat next to the pilot's father, Safi al-Kaseasbeh.

Al-Kaseasbeh told the assembled mourners that the planes had returned from strikes over Raqqa, the de facto capital of the militants' self-declared caliphate. His son had been captured near Raqqa when his F-16 fighter plane went down in December.

Earlier this week, Islamic State displayed the video of the killing of the pilot on outdoor screens in Raqqa, to chants of "God is Great" from some in the audience, according to another video posted by the militants.

Also Thursday, Jordan released an influential jihadi cleric, Abu Mohammed al-Maqdesi, who was detained in October after speaking out against Jordan's participation in the anti-IS coalition, according to his lawyer, Moussa al-Abdallat.

Jordan's Islamic militants are split between supporters of Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, the branch of al-Qaida in Syria.

Last year, al-Maqdesi had criticized Islamic State militants for attacking fellow Muslims. However, after Jordan joined the military coalition, he called on his website for Muslim unity against a "crusader war," a reference to coalition airstrikes.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-02-06

[Dannyboy666]

Go Jordan Go , Show The World How You Take Care of These Animals...

[NeverSure]

Maybe Jordan has the b@lls to do what the PC Western countries won't do. Bomb them with no regard for anyone.

I hope we give them all the bombs and fuel and aircraft they can possibly use.

[siampolee]

Certainly it would seem as if the Jordanians are seeking ways to damage the ISIS animals, strangely enough though we don't see the great friend of the west Saudi Arabia doing much though do we.

The Saudi princes no doubt are all afraid that a positive anti ISIS action from them will provoke a hostile reaction from their own Saudi Arabian extremist clerics, well those princes must preserve their status and wealth at any cost mustn't they?

It is about time the west woke up to the fact that in truth Saudi Arabia is the banker for the majority of these Islamic terrorist groups, and of course we need to remember that Iran and also Iraq have no love for the Saudis , hence any action that could be attributed to those two aforementioned states reinforces the western commitment to Saudi whilst deflecting the truth away from Saudi Arabia.

Let us hope that the current Jordanian actions lead to other Arabian states to act in a more positive fashion to the threat to their own peoples survival and the threat of being dragged back into the stone age by the ISIS animals.

[lee b]

Hi 5 to Joran.. At least you have something in between your legs to make a decision and stick with it !! 10 / 10 guys

[TPI]

While Jordan sticks it to Isis we still have to wait for the Japanese response! My feeling is that the "money" should be drying up fairly soon, if anything the Japanese are really really subtle!

[uptheos]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

So, they know where the centres are.

What stopped them bombing them before or passing on this information so someone else could do it?

[MJP]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

So, they know where the centres are.

What stopped them bombing them before or passing on this information so someone else could do it?

Absence of unified resolve, leadership and co-operative strategy is stopping what is necessary. Doesn't just apply to Jordan.

[Seastallion]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

So, they know where the centres are.

What stopped them bombing them before or passing on this information so someone else could do it?

Yes, I had that question, but it could be simple logistics and also coalition directives...follow the plan.

Now they're angry, bugger the coalition plan and to hell with the economics of planned logistics.

[Seastallion]

Take note those that call for the genocide of all Muslims.....

It showed Jordanian troops scribble messages in chalk on the missiles. "For you, the enemies of Islam," read one message.:"

[skildpadden]

It is very interesting to see that the Arab world is waking up and seeing that IS has nothing to do with Islam. It is nothing but a perverted death cult that needs to eradicated as fast as possible. They have decried any form of human rights, thus they have the lost the privilege of being considered anythign near human.

[siampolee]

One is tempted to ask whether or not local intelligence from ground level is being used?

Certainly given the Israeli's experience and their assorted espionage networks any such assistance would be invaluable in the battle to fight and defeat this evil cult.

Now is the time to build bridges and indeed a better and a secure future in the region.

[JetsetBkk]

It is very interesting to see that the Arab world is waking up and seeing that IS has nothing to do with Islam. It is nothing but a perverted death cult that needs to eradicated as fast as possible. They have decried any form of human rights, thus they have the lost the privilege of being considered anythign near human.

Indeed. Nothing to do with Islam.

[steveyinasia]

It is very interesting to see that the Arab world is waking up and seeing that IS has nothing to do with Islam. It is nothing but a perverted death cult that needs to eradicated as fast as possible. They have decried any form of human rights, thus they have the lost the privilege of being considered anythign near human.

Indeed. Nothing to do with Islam.

Bearded Muppets....absolute classic.

[Morch]

Maybe Jordan has the b@lls to do what the PC Western countries won't do. Bomb them with no regard for anyone.

I hope we give them all the bombs and fuel and aircraft they can possibly use.

How do the latest Jordanian attacks different from those carried out by Western members of the coalition?

As for giving them more aircraft, bombs and fuel - wonder (well, not really) what TVF pundits reactions would be in the not too imaginary scenario under which Jordan falls for IS. Not saying they shouldn't be armed (and if I read correctly, there are currently extra funds allocated for that by the USA), just that worth bearing in mind things could very easily go south.

[Morch]

It is very interesting to see that the Arab world is waking up and seeing that IS has nothing to do with Islam. It is nothing but a perverted death cult that needs to eradicated as fast as possible. They have decried any form of human rights, thus they have the lost the privilege of being considered anythign near human.

Jordan is hardly the "Arab World". Remains to be seen how their resolve will weather a direct attack by IS, or domestic unrest fueled by IS. Overall, the levels of outrage expressed were nothing compared to riots over cartoons.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Morch

[Morch]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

So, they know where the centres are.

What stopped them bombing them before or passing on this information so someone else could do it?

Yes, I had that question, but it could be simple logistics and also coalition directives...follow the plan.

Now they're angry, bugger the coalition plan and to hell with the economics of planned logistics.

Not very likely that they take solo action without informing or consulting with coalition command.

Obviously they stepped up their efforts, at least for the time being - this could be either by accepting a greater responsibility for missions to be executed or by attacking any target available, with less consideration of priorities.

As for the reported success of the attacks, it is kinda funny how people would take this for granted.

[Morch]

One is tempted to ask whether or not local intelligence from ground level is being used?

Certainly given the Israeli's experience and their assorted espionage networks any such assistance would be invaluable in the battle to fight and defeat this evil cult.

Now is the time to build bridges and indeed a better and a secure future in the region.

I am positive that if the Jordanians have assets on the grounds, they are being used.

Cooperation between Israel's intelligence services and the coalition (at least with regards to Western members, primarily the USA) was mentioned in the past. Doubt that a tactical cooperation on this level directly exists between Israel and Jordan. Most Arab countries need to consider domestic public opinion when cooperation with Israel is on the cards.

[Chicog]

Just as well because the UAE have pulled out - their pilots are scared.

[dogleg]

Just as well because the UAE have pulled out - their pilots are scared.

Pulled out for additional training - possibly in using a handgun to the head to evade capture?

[Morch]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

So, they know where the centres are.

What stopped them bombing them before or passing on this information so someone else could do it?

Yes, I had that question, but it could be simple logistics and also coalition directives...follow the plan.

Now they're angry, bugger the coalition plan and to hell with the economics of planned logistics.

Not very likely that they take solo action without informing or consulting with coalition command.

Obviously they stepped up their efforts, at least for the time being - this could be either by accepting a greater responsibility for missions to be executed or by attacking any target available, with less consideration of priorities.

As for the reported success of the attacks, it is kinda funny how people would take this for granted.

Aye, well coordinated with the USA:

U.S. military aircraft joined the mission to provide intelligence, surveillance as well as reconnaissance and targeting support, a U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/06/us-mideast-crisis-jordan-jets-idUSKBN0L91G920150206

Edited February 6, 2015 by metisdead

[F430murci]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) Dozens of Jordanian fighter jets bombed Islamic State training centers and weapons storage sites Thursday, intensifying attacks after the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

So, they know where the centres are.

What stopped them bombing them before or passing on this information so someone else could do it?

Perhaps they just asked US for latest intel on targets.

[Steely Dan]

I hope we have a trend emerging here. Previously the corrupt Gulf monarchies and military dictatorships of the Middle East nominally encouraged their religious fanatics, just so long as they didn't dump in their own back yards. Now with ISIS we have fanatics who recognize no sovereignty except the Caliphate. This is very dangerous for all middle eastern nations. Normally they tacitly support Western military action to mow the grass, as Pakistan did allowing drone attacks, but now it must be occurring to them that the West lacks the stomach to eradicate ISIS. ISIS now may have changed the game so the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of action. Egypt and Jordan are squarely in this boat, time will tell as to whether the UAE or others follow.

P.s pilots should be supplied with a cyanide capsule as well as an ejector seat.

[Credo]

<snipped>

P.s pilots should be supplied with a cyanide capsule as well as an ejector seat.

Nope, they should wear a suicide vest, that way they can still claim success.

[MrWorldwide]

The most progressive state in the Middle East finally springs into action - all the shinola re 'Arab brotherhood' goes out the window when sovereign states are faced with fanatics such as ISIL. This is a country where the US could funnel arms and 'advisors' into the conflict If Wikipedia is correct, ISIL has a total of 15000 fighters and has as much opposition among other terrorist groups (including Hezbollah) as it has support. I'm under no illusions that any US-led coalition will always have opponents in the region but this is a military force with one aim : a Caliphate under a single ruler. The Saudis who are actively financing this madness need to take a long, hard look at precisely where that would leave them when the smoke clears. No small irony that the regime in Tehran now find themselves facing a common enemy with the regime in Washington - Iran needs to show these clowns it means business. This is their backyard, and they are supposedly a very big dog in that backyard - surely 15,000 fanatics cant compete with that kind of muscle ? I just dont see how direct US military involvement in this is going to end well - let the Arabs sort it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran