Jordanian King Cuts Short US Visit After Video of Pilot's IS Execution

Jordan's King Abdullah II cut off his visit to the United States after the release of the video, showing the

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Jordan's King Abdullah II interrupted his visit to the United States after images appeared online, showing the execution of pilot Muath Kasaesbeh by the jihadist Islamic State group, Jordanian state television reported Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, images posted by IS on social media showed Kasaesbeh being burnt alive. Local authorities later confirmed that the execution took place a month ago, on January 3.

Kasaesbeh had been held hostage by the jihadist group since his aircraft crashed in IS-controlled territory near Raqqah, Syria in December 2014.

Sources in the Jordanian government disclosed to local media plans to avenge Kasaesbeh's death by executing six IS-affiliated terrorists in the coming hours, including Sajida Rishawi, a failed Iraqi suicide bomber, facing a death sentence in Jordan.

On January 27, IS released a video warning that the Jordanian pilot and Japanese hostage Kenji Goto would be killed within 24 hours if they were not exchanged for Rishawi.

The following day, a Jordanian government spokesperson said the country was ready to release the Iraqi terrorist in exchange for Kasaesbeh. On January 29, the Jordanian information minister said the country had demanded IS to prove that Kasaesbeh was still alive, but received no response from the militants.

On Saturday, IS released a video showing Goto's beheading, following the execution of another Japanese national, Haruna Yukawa, last week.