Jordanian warplanes strike at IS militants in Syria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Jordanian warplanes strike at IS militants in Syria, 5 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a4d9b.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 05, 2015
Jordanian fighter jets attacked Islamic State hideouts in Syria on February 5 and then roared over the hometown of a Jordanian pilot killed by the militants.
Jordan's King Abdullah was consoling the pilot's family, and thousands of mourners were gathered in the town, when the returning warplanes flew overhead.
Witnesses overheard the monarch telling the pilot's father that the planes had attacked the militant-held city of Raqqa.
Jordan's military later announced that dozens of Jordanian fighter jets hit targets in the eastern province of Deir al-Zor and near Raqqa – including ammunition depos and training camps.
Jordanian officials said the air strikes are "just the beginning" of "earth shaking" vengence for the killing of pilot Mouath al-Kasaesbeh, who appeared to be the captive burned alive in an Islamic State video released on February 3.
The air strikes are the first attacks announced by Jordan outside the framework of a U.S.-led international coalition that is fighting the militants.
Based on reports by Retuers, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
