The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has recently released a video showing the purported beheading of Japanese prisoner Kenji Goto but despite this, Jordan has announced that they are still willing to continue with the prisoner swap for the Jordanian pilot believed to be still held in captivity. 

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According to Jordan, they still have not heard from the ISIS militants as to their demand of giving proof that the Jordanian pilot identified as Lt Muath al-Kaseasbeh is still alive. However, they stressed out that they are still willing to give the al-Qaeda prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange of the pilot.

Jordan's security and military agencies say are constantly checking for proofs that the pilot is still alive. Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani on Sunday said that they are very read to hand over the convict and supposed bomber for the safe return of their son and their hero in reference to the pilot.  

Kaseasbeh was captured back in December when his F-16 fighter jet landed on one of the territories controlled by ISIS militants. He was in a fight against the group and was part of the U.S.-led coalition that aimed to abolish and weaken the terrorist group. 

After Goto was reportedly killed by the militants, the family of the pilot and the poeple of Jordan demanded the government to be honest with them as to whether the release of Kaseasbeh is towards a "positive direction" or not. 

Safi al-Kasasbeh, the pilot's father said in a statement, "Of course, I'm concerned. This is my son. I'm always concerned about him and any development makes me more concerned." 

Before Goto was killed, his wife released a statement saying his captors emailed her about the details regarding the release of the Iraqi border and threatened to kill the prisoners by sunset but the validity of the email has not been determined yet. That time, Goto's wife begged both their government and Jordan for help, saying the "fates of the two men are in their hands".

Both Japan and Jordan have extended their efforts to save the lives of the captives but they are in a tight spot as critics are saying that if the prisoner exchange does happen, it will set a pattern for the extremists and they could demand more of these prisoner swaps in the future.

Both countries have been an allies to the United States and have been helping with the U.S.-led coalition that aims to dismantle the growing caliphate.

TagsJordan, Prisoner swap, ISIS, beheading, Sajida al-Rishawi, Kenji Goto