Unconfirmed images appear to show IS burning Jordanian pilot alive

Supporters of the Islamic State insurgent group have begun circulating photos on social media that purport to show captive Jordanian pilot Mu’ath Al Kasaesbeh being burnt alive. The authenticity of the five images, which show a burning man standing in a black cage, has yet to be confirmed. Mr Al Kasaesbeh was taken captive by IS when his fighter jet crashed in Syria last December. IS militants had demanded Jordan release a female prisoner in exchange for his life, but failed to provide the proof of life requested by Jordan to secure the exchange.

The Jordanian people in general and our cousins here in this village are saying this war is not our war. It is not our war.

Jawdat Al Kasaesbeh, the pilot’s brother

IS wanted to exchange Mr Al Kasaesbeh for Iraqi jihadist Sajida Al Rishawi. She’d been held by Jordanian authorities since late 2005, after being arrested and later sentenced to death “for conspiracy to carry out terror acts” for her failed part in a triple bomb attack on the Radisson SAS hotel in Amman, the Jordanian capital.

Middle East Islamic State