Jordan Threatens to Execute ISIS Fighters if Proof of Life for Pilot Not Provided
The government of Jordan threatened to execute a large number of Islamic State fighters in its custody if they are not given reassurances that one of their pilot's who has been captured by ISIS is still alive.
The Daily Mail reports that Jordan threatened to kill Sajida al-Rishawi and a number of other prominent ISIS members if ISIS did not provide proof of life for Muath Al-Kaseasbeh. Jordan previously demanded such proof as part of a prisoner exchange deal.
That deal called for receiving proof of life for Kaseasbeh and the release of a Japanese hostage named Kenji Goto in exchange for the release of Rishawi, a failed suicide bomber who was arrested after her bomb failed to detonate.
The deal was supposed to have taken place at sundown Jan. 29, but the deadline passed without ISIS providing proof of life, so Jordan said the deal was off.
A Jordanian official said that they would execute the ISIS members because, "There are other prisoners in Jordan that ISIS would like to free," according to the Mail.
An expert interviewed by the Mail suggested that if the swap occurs, ISIS could boast of it in their propaganda. This is because it would demonstrate the groups ability to extract concessions from powerful international actors.
The pilot's capture poses a political dilemma for Jordan because the country's population is largely sympathetic to the goals of ISIS. Joining the US led coalition carrying out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria has delegitimized the Jordanian state in the eyes of some Jordanians.
