Militants fighting for the Islamic State terror group in Syria and Iraq have released a video they claim shows Jordanian pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh being burnt alive while locked in a cage.
The footage, which is titled ‘Healing the Believers Chests’ appears to show the captured airman wearing an orange jumpsuit as a trail of petrol leading up to the cage is seen being set alight.
Flames are seen quickly spreading to the cage where they completely engulf the helpless pilot in images that are far too distressing to publish.
Yesterday Jordan government spokesman Mohammed al-Momeni said the kingdom was doing ‘everything’ it could to secure the release of Kassasbeh, who was captured by ISIS after his F-16 fighter jet crashed in territory controlled by the militants in Syria in December.
However the statement came with an explicit threat that if ‘hero’ Kassasbeh came to any harm, Jordan would ‘quickly judge and sentence’ all those it holds on suspicion of being members of ISIS.
Brutal: The footage, which is titled ‘Healing the Believers Chests’ appears to show the captured airman wearing an orange jumpsuit as a trail of petrol leading up to the cage is seen being set alight
Captured: Muath al-Kaseasbeh (centre in white) was captured by the Islamic State after after crashing near its HQ in the Syrian city of Raqqa in December. ISIS is now believed to brutally murdered him
Exchange: The Jordanian government had said they will only release failed female suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi (right), who is on death row in Jordan, if it gets proof Mr Kaseasbeh (left) is alive
The video comes just days after ISIS’ British executioner in chief, Jihadi John, savagely murdered Japanese journalist Kenji Goto in a shocking filmed beheading after days of intensive negotiations through intermediaries to save him.
Yesterday Jordanian government spokesman Momeni said: ‘All state organisations have been mobilised to secure the proof of life that we require so that he can be freed and returned to his home.’
‘We are still ready to hand over the convict Sajida al-Rishawi in return for the return of our son and our hero,’ Mohammad al-Momani added.
He condemned the jihadists’ murder of Japanese journalist 47-yer-old Goto after days of intensive efforts through intermediaries to save him, adding: ‘We spared no effort, in coordination with the Japanese government, to save his life.’
Anger: Jordan had vowed to do ‘everything’ could to save the life of ISIS-held pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh. Here Kassasbeh’s relatives hold posters of the captive during a rally in the city of Karak over the weekend
The shocking video comes just days after ISIS’ British executioner in chief, Jihadi John, savagely murdered Japanese journalist Kenji Goto in a shocking filmed beheading after days of intensive negotiations
Mr Goto joined a list of other victims of Jihadi John, including fellow Japanese national Haruna Yukawa (left). British aid workers David Haines (centre), and Alan Henning (right) have also been murdered
US journalist James Foley (left) was the first to appear alongside Jihadi John in one of the sickening videos, followed by Steven Sotloff (centre). American aid worker Peter Kassig (right) was also murdered by ISIS
Last week Jordan vowed to fast-track the execution of Sajida al-Rishawi if ISIS kills Kaseasbeh.
It apparently warned ISIS that she and other jailed ISIS commanders would be ‘quickly judged and sentenced’ in revenge for the execution of the pilot.
Intelligence sources said ISIS’s refusal to prove that Kaseasbeh was alive meant any deal with the militants was doomed.
Jordan subsequently stepped up its rhetoric by warning of its intent to retaliate if the negotiations end in bloodshed.
