Jordan follows up on captured pilot’s situation

Amman, January 30: The Jordanian army said on Friday it was following–up on the situation of a pilot captured by the Islamic State (IS) terror group. In a statement, the army said it was working with all the state institutions to follow up on the situation of the Jordanian pilot, Lt. Mu’ath al–Kaseasbeh, Xinhua reported. The army’s remark came after the deadline set by the IS for a possible prisoner swap passed. Late Wednesday, the IS released an audio clip, purportedly of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto who was held by the IS, asking Jordan to bring Sajida al–Rishawi, a female suicide bomber, to the Turkish border by sunset Thursday, or the pilot would be killed. Sajida al–Rishawi was convicted for her role in a series of bombings in the Jordanian capital of Amman in 2005 which killed around 60 people.

The suicide bomber was imprisoned after her suicide vest failed to detote. In the audio clip, the IS said if Sajida was handed over, the Japanese hostage would be released. On Thursday, the Jordanian authorities said they were willing to hand over the Iraqi suicide bomber if the Jordanian pilot was released. In its statement, the Jordanian army asked the IS for a proof that the pilot, who was captured by the IS last year after his plane crashed in Raqqah in Syria, was still alive.  (IANS)