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11/22/2024 11:08:11 am

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Jordan Vows to 'Wipe Out' Islamic State

Jordan Vows to 'Wipe Out' Islamic State

(Photo : REUTERS/Petra News Agency) Jordan's King Abdullah (R) speaks with Safi al-Kasaesbeh, the father of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh, as he offers his condolences to the family's clan in the city of Karak on February 5, 2015.

Jordan bears down on Islamic State strongholds across northern Iraq and Syria, bent on wiping out the militants "completely," Jordanian Interior Minister Hussein al-Majali said on Saturday.

Jordanian fighter jets bombed the militants' positions for the third day in a row, after Jordan's King Abdullah angrily vowed on Wednesday to crush Islamic State until his country runs "out of fuel and bullets."

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The interior minister's comment is the latest warning of "earth-shaking" retaliation after the militants posted footage of a Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage. The video drew widespread condemnation in Jordan and its neighbors.

The kingdom took part in U.S.-led military operations against Islamic State in September, but after the brutal death of Jordanian pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, Jordan said it would step up air offensives.

The bombing campaign started on Thursday, with Jordan's state media reporting new air strikes on Saturday.

Al-Majali said the Jordanian pilot's death was a turning point for his country. He told the government-owned al-Rai newspaper that Jordan will root out militants "wherever they are."

He said the latest barrage of airstrikes is only the start of a sustained campaign to get rid of them and completely wipe out the militants who effectively rule about a third of neighboring Iraq and Syria.

The escalating conflict with Islamic State has Jordanian allies worried about possible retribution from the militants.

The minister assured the public that security services are on top of the situation and they are prepared for anyone who seeks to interfere in Jordan's national security. He urged Jordanians to be on the lookout for dubious behavior, especially in communities with many non-Jordanians.

Military leaders earlier repeated King Abdullah's words who vowed an "earth-shaking" response that will match the "tragedy of all Jordanians."

Government spokesman Mohammad Momani also announced that Jordan's response to the pilot's assassination will be swift, adding the nation's wrath will devastate the ranks of Islamic State. 

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