Jordan's Queen Rania joined took to the streets of Amman with demonstrators on Friday following the brutal killing of a Jordanian pilot at the hands of the Islamic State that prompted airstrikes in Syria.
ISIS militants burned captive Jordanian pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, in a cage and released a video of the killing earlier this week. The images have been met with widespread criticism and revulsion across the region.
HM @QueenRania joins the unity rally in #Amman downtown #IamMuath pic.twitter.com/pheqJlyczs— Kamel Al-Asmar كامل (@kamelasmar) February 6, 2015
Eyewitnesses said thousands descended on Amman to honor al-Kaseasbeh and demonstrate against ISIS.
Never seen anything like this in #Jordan. Men, women, children gathering en masse, streets festooned w photos of #Moaz. The march begins!— Sara Williams (@saraewilliams) February 6, 2015
Mini-demonstrator in #Amman #Jordan pic.twitter.com/mloOJUZBvP— Sara Williams (@saraewilliams) February 6, 2015
The crowd unfurled a large Jordanian flag and held up banners in support of the king's pledge of a tough military response to the killing.
"We all stand united with the Hashemite leadership in facing terrorism," one banner read.
"Moaz don't worry we will avenge you" "Daesh you are God's enemy, and villain terrorists" some slogans of demonstration now center Amman— Randa HABIB (@RandaHabib) February 6, 2015
Friday's rally comes as a prominent jihadi preacher lashed out Friday against the burning to death of the pilot.
Abu Mohammed al-Maqdesi, considered a spiritual mentor for many al-Qaida militants, spoke a day after being released from more than three months in detention in Jordan.
In an interview with the Jordanian TV station Roya, al-Maqdesi said that the burning of the pilot "is not acceptable by any religion and by anyone."
His release and harsh criticism of the Islamic State group come at a time when the Jordanian government is trying to win broad popular backing for the intensified airstrikes.