Sajida Al-Rishawi Reportedly Arrives in IS-Controlled Territory

The would-be suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi has allegedly arrived in IS-controlled territory hours after Jordanian authorities said they were willing to free the longtime prisoner if the militant group set free one of its pilots.

MOSCOW, January 28 (Sputnik) — Jordan on Wednesday indicated it would release al-Rishawi, jailed since 2005, if the radical Islamist group agreed to free the captured Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh following the militants’ threat to kill him and Japanese hostage Kenji Goto within 24 hours, CNN reports.

The news of Sajida al-Rishawi’s alleged release comes as the IS deadline nears. Jordan’s state–run TV earlier announced, quoting Information Minister Mohammed Momani, the government’s intention to let al-Rishawi go.

It wasn't immediately clear if IS would accept Jordan's offer though. In two videos since last week, the terror group appeared to offer Goto's freedom in exchange for al-Rishawi's. It did not offer al-Kassasbeh's freedom, but indicated that he and Goto would be killed if al-Rishawi did not walk free.

Wednesday's Jordanian news bulletin about the country's offer to swap al-Rishawi for al-Kassasbeh made no mention of Goto.

The families of Goto and al-Kassasbeh called on their governments Wednesday to do everything they can to save the hostages before time runs out.