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Saudi pilots receive online death threats after air strikes on Isis Saudi pilots receive online death threats after air strikes on Isis
(35 minutes later)
Saudi pilots who conducted air strikes on jihadis in Syria have received online death threats after photos were published of those involved, among them a son of the crown prince.Saudi pilots who conducted air strikes on jihadis in Syria have received online death threats after photos were published of those involved, among them a son of the crown prince.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) released photographs of eight airmen it said were involved in Tuesday’s US-led operation, carried out with Gulf allies.Saudi Press Agency (SPA) released photographs of eight airmen it said were involved in Tuesday’s US-led operation, carried out with Gulf allies.
In one picture they stood, some smiling, in green flight suits with arms around each other in front of one of their fighter jets.In one picture they stood, some smiling, in green flight suits with arms around each other in front of one of their fighter jets.
One of the pilots involved in the raids is a son of Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, according to Saudi newspapers.One of the pilots involved in the raids is a son of Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, according to Saudi newspapers.
Dozens of Islamic State (Isis) and al-Qaida militants were reportedly killed in the international coalition’s air raids, sparking jihadi threats online where the Saudi pilots’ photos appeared.Dozens of Islamic State (Isis) and al-Qaida militants were reportedly killed in the international coalition’s air raids, sparking jihadi threats online where the Saudi pilots’ photos appeared.
One Twitter user said the airmen were “wanted by IS” while another said their throats “will sooner or later be slit”.One Twitter user said the airmen were “wanted by IS” while another said their throats “will sooner or later be slit”.
A broader threat came from a tweet calling for the killing of police as well as military men.A broader threat came from a tweet calling for the killing of police as well as military men.
Some internet users, however, defended the Saudi airmen.Some internet users, however, defended the Saudi airmen.
“The Saudi pilots returned safe and sound on Tuesday morning after having accomplished their duty in carrying out successful and effective strikes against the Islamic State extremist organisation in Syria,” SPA said.“The Saudi pilots returned safe and sound on Tuesday morning after having accomplished their duty in carrying out successful and effective strikes against the Islamic State extremist organisation in Syria,” SPA said.
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan also confirmed their participation. Washington said Qatar was also involved.The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan also confirmed their participation. Washington said Qatar was also involved.
“My sons, the pilots, fulfilled their obligation toward their religion, their homeland and their king,” SPA quoted the crown prince as saying. “My sons, the pilots, fulfilled their obligation towards their religion, their homeland and their king,” SPA quoted the crown prince as saying.
He was “proud of the professionalism and bravery” of the Saudi airmen, SPA said.He was “proud of the professionalism and bravery” of the Saudi airmen, SPA said.
Their combat mission happened to coincide with the kingdom’s 84th national day.Their combat mission happened to coincide with the kingdom’s 84th national day.
Saudi Arabia is dominated by the ultra-conservative Sunni doctrine of Wahhabism. The kingdom’s grand mufti, Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, last month said al-Qaida and Isis “have nothing to do with Islam and (their proponents) are the enemy number one of Islam”. Saudi Arabia is dominated by the ultra-conservative Sunni doctrine of Wahhabism. The kingdom’s grand mufti, Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, last month said al-Qaida and Isis “have nothing to do with Islam and [their proponents] are the enemy number one of Islam”.
The country is seeking to deter youths from becoming jihadis but fighters from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco make up the majority of about 12,000 foreign extremists who have travelled to Syria and Iraq, according to the London-based International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation.The country is seeking to deter youths from becoming jihadis but fighters from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco make up the majority of about 12,000 foreign extremists who have travelled to Syria and Iraq, according to the London-based International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation.
Isis has declared a “caliphate” straddling Iraq and Syria. Its fighters control swaths of territory where they have committed widespread atrocities including beheadings and crucifixions.Isis has declared a “caliphate” straddling Iraq and Syria. Its fighters control swaths of territory where they have committed widespread atrocities including beheadings and crucifixions.