"The Jordanian government and the relevant authorities have begun efforts across all levels with crisis cells to free our pilot and save his life," state-run Jordanian daily Alrai said in an editorial on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Jordanian military confirmed reports that one of its F-16 jets had crashed during an anti-IS air campaign, and that Muath al-Kaseasbeh, its 26-year-old pilot, had been captured by militants near the northern Syrian city of Raqqa. The US Central Command later announced that, contrary to claims by the militant group, Pentagon evidence "clearly indicates" that IS did not shoot down the jet.
In June 2014, the Islamic State jihadist group declared a caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria under its control, prompting the United States to set up a 60-nation strong anti-IS coalition directly or indirectly involved in airstrikes, targeting the militant group's strongholds.
