Jordanian fighter jets have carried out new air strikes against Islamic State militants, a day after the country's king vowed to wage a "harsh" war against the extremist group that controls parts of neighboring Syria and Iraq.
The army statement, released on Thursday, did not say which country was targeted. Jordan is part of a U.S.-led military coalition that has bombed ISIS targets in both countries since last fall, but until now Jordanian warplanes are only known to have carried out raids in Syria.
King Abdullah arrives at mourning tent in village outside Karak. "We want war," one mourner said pic.twitter.com/O8d3RuWFIn— William Booth (@BoothWilliam) February 5, 2015
King Abdullah II pledged to step up the fight against the IS group after the militants burned a captive Jordanian pilot in a cage and released a video of the killing earlier this week. The images have sent waves of revulsion across the region.
On Thursday, warplanes roared overhead as the king paid a condolence visit to the family of the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, in his village in southern Jordan. The king pointed at the planes as he sat next to the pilot's father.
#kasasbeh dad mobbed by people wanting to pay condolences. Yelling crowd. He looks overwhelmed. Faint. #jordan— Ruth Sherlock (@Rsherlock) February 5, 2015
While offering condolences, King Abdullah told father of #Jordan pilot that jets today hit Raqqa #Syria, via @nasseratta5— Alexander Marquardt (@MarquardtA) February 5, 2015
Tribesmen pay condolence to father of #Kasasbeh #jordan pic.twitter.com/DxuYVl89gW— Ruth Sherlock (@Rsherlock) February 5, 2015
Abdullah has said Jordan's response "will be harsh because this terrorist organization is not only fighting us, but also fighting Islam and its pure values."
In a statement Wednesday, he pledged to hit the militants "hard in the very center of their strongholds."