Jordan’s Fight Against ISIL




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  • 2015-02-17 23:00:54
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  In December 2014, Jordanian Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh’s plane suffered mechanical failure over Syria and the pilot was captured by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). For months Jordan was involved in negotiations for his release. ISIL demanded release of Sajida al-Rishawi, imprisoned for the 2005 bombing in Amman, in exchange for Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh. On Jan. 28, Jordan agreed to release Rishawi, but it was too late. On the next morning, Kasasbeh was placed in a cage and burned alive. The scene was horrifying, filled with screams and unimaginable pain. The video of it was deliberately aimed at shocking the audience and capturing the world’s attention.  [caption id="attachment_25267" align="alignleft" width="190"]The Jordanian pilot. Source: peacelovebehappy.files.wordpress.com The Jordanian pilot.
Source: peacelovebehappy.files.wordpress.com[/caption] Jordanians are outraged and many think that Jordan should leave the anti- ISIL coalition, due to fears for the safety of the pilots. After the horrific death of the Jordanian pilot, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have withdrawn from the coalition altogether. There were reports of protests across Jordan, particularly from the South, where al-Kasasbeh’s tribe is from. The Kasasbeh family comes from a high-ranking tribe, which is considered very loyal to Jordan’s monarchy. The tribe is influential and after their loss, the members are calling the government to avenge the pilot’s death, including the execution of the ISIL's captive al-Rishawi. Jordan responded rapidly and in retaliation executed al-Rishawi, Ziad al-Karbouli and several other terrorists. The Jordanian air force launched an intense air attack on the Islamic State in Syria. King Abdullah stated that “this is a war the world cannot afford to lose. But to win it all of us must be in it , to stand as partners in the fight against threats and to go beyond, to build the conditions for humanity to live together in peace." The king also vowed to wage a “harsh war” against the Islamic State and asked the U.S. to provide drones and equipment. The United States has been providing Jordan with $1 billion annually in economic and military assistance, but no drones that could help with intelligence gathering were seen. A video, released shortly after the pilot's death, shows the Jordanian army hitting hard the claimed ISIL training centers, arms and ammunition depots. All targets were completely destroyed and all the planes safely returned to their bases. [caption id="attachment_25268" align="alignright" width="325"]Moaz al-Kasasbeh Source: dailymail.co.uk Moaz al-Kasasbeh
Source: dailymail.co.uk[/caption] The air mission was named “Moath the Martyr.” The Jordanian state television aired an exclusive footage of warplanes striking ISIL targets to satisfy the outraged population. After these footages were shown, the Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh stressed that airstrikes marked the beginning of the nation’s retaliation against ISIL and vowed to destroy it. “We are upping the ante. We’re going after them whenever they are, with everything that we have,” Judeh said. For now, there is huge support for any decision Jordan takes. The Petra News, a state-run newspaper, reported that the Armed Forces moved some of the troops closer toward the border with Iraq. As many politicians debated that without boots on the ground the air bombings would not destroy ISIL, could the angry emotions of the Jordanians lead to a ground invasion? In the short term, this might be a reaction of Jordan to show force and retaliate. According to many political analysts, there would be no ground invasion, but even if there is, it will be limited and fast. In the longer run, we will most likely see the Jordanian people question their role in a coalition. They might pressure the government to leave the U.S.-led coalition to eliminate situations like al-Kasasbeh’s plane crash. Author: Sherzod Shamiev of the Political Science Club at AUBG