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Jordan pilot hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh 'burned alive' Jordan pilot hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh 'burned alive'
(about 1 hour later)
Jordan has confirmed the death of pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh after a video published online by Islamic State (IS) claimed to show him being burned alive.Jordan has confirmed the death of pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh after a video published online by Islamic State (IS) claimed to show him being burned alive.
The video shows a man standing in a cage and engulfed in flames. Intelligence officials are working to confirm it is genuine.The video shows a man standing in a cage and engulfed in flames. Intelligence officials are working to confirm it is genuine.
Jordan vowed "punishment and revenge".Jordan vowed "punishment and revenge".
Lt Kasasbeh was captured when his plane came down near Raqqa, Syria, in December on a mission to support the US-led military coalition against IS.Lt Kasasbeh was captured when his plane came down near Raqqa, Syria, in December on a mission to support the US-led military coalition against IS.
The video posted online on Tuesday was distributed via a Twitter account known as a source for IS propaganda.The video posted online on Tuesday was distributed via a Twitter account known as a source for IS propaganda.
The highly produced 22-minute film includes a sequence showing the Jordanian pilot walking at gunpoint amongst rubble apparently caused by coalition air strikes that targeted jihadists.The highly produced 22-minute film includes a sequence showing the Jordanian pilot walking at gunpoint amongst rubble apparently caused by coalition air strikes that targeted jihadists.
The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says the new and horrific video is aimed at a world already shocked by the calculated cruelty of Islamic State's actions, The BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, says the new and horrific video is aimed at a world already shocked by the calculated cruelty of Islamic State's actions.
Jordanian state TV reports that Lt Kasasbeh, 26, was killed a month ago - since when Jordan has continued attempts to secure his release.Jordanian state TV reports that Lt Kasasbeh, 26, was killed a month ago - since when Jordan has continued attempts to secure his release.
At the scene: Richard Colebourn, BBC News, Amman
Hundreds are gathered outside the hall on the outskirts of Amman where family members and friends of the Jordanian pilot have been congregating for days.
As the news emerged people prayed in commemoration for his life and gathered around mobile phones looking at the gruesome images circulating on social media. Immediate family members have not spoken, but an uncle of the pilot told the BBC that Jordan must act against such extremists.
As the evening went on more Jordanians gathered. Angry shouts went up calling for unity and chanting the pilot's name. But some have also called out against Jordan's participation in the coalition.
Profile: Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh
Jordan had been attempting to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release as part of a prisoner swap, offering to free Iraqi militant Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange.Jordan had been attempting to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release as part of a prisoner swap, offering to free Iraqi militant Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange.
She is a failed suicide bomber now on death row in Jordan for her role in attacks in the capital, Amman, that killed 60 people in 2005.She is a failed suicide bomber now on death row in Jordan for her role in attacks in the capital, Amman, that killed 60 people in 2005.
'Not in vain' IS had sought Rishawi's release as part of a deal to free captive Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. A video that appeared to show Goto's dead body appeared three days ago.
IS had sought Rishawi's release in exchange for that of captive Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. A video that appeared to show Goto's dead body appeared three days ago.
A spokesman for the Jordanian armed forces, Mamdouh al-Ameri, said Lt Kasasbeh had "fallen as a martyr".A spokesman for the Jordanian armed forces, Mamdouh al-Ameri, said Lt Kasasbeh had "fallen as a martyr".
"While the military forces mourn the martyr, they emphasise his blood will not be shed in vain. Our punishment and revenge will be as huge as the loss of the Jordanians.""While the military forces mourn the martyr, they emphasise his blood will not be shed in vain. Our punishment and revenge will be as huge as the loss of the Jordanians."
Kevin Connolly, BBC Middle East Correspondent Jordanian officials were quoted as saying Rishawi would be executed imminently, with three other convicted militants also reportedly to be put to death.
The male members of the al-Kasasbeh family had been gathering every day at a community centre not far from the royal palace in Amman. Cousins, brothers and uncles maintained a vigil of support for Moaz's father, who sat anxious but dignified in a red chequered headdress and long flowing black robe. Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent
After the murder of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto the mood darkened, and one of the pilot's uncles, retired police general Fahd al-Kasasbeh, was close to tears as he asked the BBC to help relay a direct appeal to the hostage-takers. One thing is clear from this video - Islamic State never had any intention of releasing the young Jordanian pilot. According to Jordanian state media he was killed on 3 January, well before the supposed prisoner exchange talks moved into high gear.
There were family members who hoped Lt Kasasbeh would be treated with lenience because he was a Muslim, while others feared he would be harshly dealt with as an enemy pilot. And all along on both sides of the argument was the nagging fear that no proof of life was received, no photographs and no video. The cynical manipulation of this episode by IS shows the importance it affords to information warfare - here an attempt to create problems for the Jordanian authorities and to weaken the Arab-Western coalition, at a time when it appears to be struggling to make dramatic headway against IS on the ground.
The family's reaction, of course, will be one of deep grief and distress. But in wider Jordanian society, there will be pressure for the government to hit back. An implicit threat to speed up the execution of IS prisoners in Jordanian jails, where some are already on death row, may now be carried out. This is the problem for the coalition. Its air campaign is in many ways a stop-gap intended to halt the progress of IS, but requiring effective troops on the ground to significantly turn back its advance.
Profile: Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh Jordan's King Abdullah cut short a visit to the US after news of Lt Kasasbeh's death. Before leaving, he called Lt Kasasbeh a hero who had died "defending his beliefs, homeland and nation".
Jordan's King Abdullah cut short a visit to the US after news of Lt Kasasbeh's death. He called IS a "criminal deviant group which has no connection whatsoever with our great religion". He also met US Vice-President Joe Biden who "reinforced America's ironclad support" for Jordan, the White House said.
US President Barack Obama said in a statement that if the video was real, it would be "one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity" of IS.US President Barack Obama said in a statement that if the video was real, it would be "one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity" of IS.
"I think it will redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of the global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated," he added."I think it will redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of the global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated," he added.
Gen Ali Shukri, a former Jordanian army officer, told the BBC the news would cause "total dismay" in Jordan.Gen Ali Shukri, a former Jordanian army officer, told the BBC the news would cause "total dismay" in Jordan.
"This is something that hasn't been seen before," he said."This is something that hasn't been seen before," he said.
"It's an absolute terror. Now the very old saying of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is going to be brought back, and I think days ahead of us will show that to [IS] and whoever is supporting them.""It's an absolute terror. Now the very old saying of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is going to be brought back, and I think days ahead of us will show that to [IS] and whoever is supporting them."
Timeline: Jordanian pilot held hostageTimeline: Jordanian pilot held hostage
24 December 2014: Jordanian Lt Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh captured by IS after his plane crashes24 December 2014: Jordanian Lt Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh captured by IS after his plane crashes
25 December 2014: Pilot's father urges IS to show mercy25 December 2014: Pilot's father urges IS to show mercy
20 January 2015: IS threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless Japan pays $200m ransom within 72 hours20 January 2015: IS threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless Japan pays $200m ransom within 72 hours
24 January: IS releases video of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding a picture Haruna Yukawa's decapitated body 24 January: IS releases video of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding a picture apparently showing Haruna Yukawa's decapitated body
24 January: IS calls for release of Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi militant sentenced to death in Jordan24 January: IS calls for release of Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi militant sentenced to death in Jordan
28 January: Jordan offers to release Rishawi in exchange for Lt Kasasbeh28 January: Jordan offers to release Rishawi in exchange for Lt Kasasbeh
29 January: Deadline to kill Lt Kasasbeh and Mr Goto expires29 January: Deadline to kill Lt Kasasbeh and Mr Goto expires
31 January: Video released appearing to show Kenji Goto's body31 January: Video released appearing to show Kenji Goto's body
3 February: Video released appearing to show Lt Kasasbeh burnt alive 3 February: Video released appearing to show Lt Kasasbeh burnt alive, with Jordanian media suggesting he was killed weeks earlier