Jordan, Vowing To Ramp Up War On ISIS, Faces Undercurrent Of Opposition And Extremism

AMMAN, Jordan — The Islamic State group’s brutal killing of a young Jordanian pilot has only emboldened the Hashemite Kingdom to expand its fight against the militants, despite an undercurrent of opposition and extremism within its own borders.

An image from the Islamic State’s propaganda video that shows Jordanian pilot Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh being burned alive in a metal cage.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II arrived in Amman on Wednesday to throngs of supporters waving Jordanian flags and buses with banners commemorating Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, the 26-year-old fighter pilot burned alive by Islamic State militants. Much of the capital was in mourning, still shellshocked from the ruthlessly violent propaganda video of al-Kaseasbeh’s death, which had been widely circulated on social media Tuesday.

“Animals are more humane than them,” said 45-year-old frame shop owner Salah al-Masri, referring to the Islamic State group, which is also known as ISIS or ISIL. “Jordan was defending victims when it joined the coalition [fighting the Islamic State group]. This is a holy movement.”

While Khatib insisted he doesn’t support the Islamic State, he also said he disagrees with Jordan’s war on the group.

“This is not our war,” he said simply.

Ibraheem Shaheen contributed reporting from Amman.

The Huffington Post