http://mebriefing.com/?p=1487&utm_source=MEB+VOL+-+II_+Issue+63+Subscribers+Campaign+of+February+09+2015&utm_campaign=VOL+II+-+Issue+63&utm_medium=email

8 February 2015

ISIL’s Execution Backfires Big Time

When Islamic State (ISIL) militants executed Jordanian fighter pilot Lt. Moath Al-Kasasbeh, by burning him in a cage and posting the video on the internet, they committed a violation of Islamic law as practiced by an overwhelming majority of Muslims.  It may prove to have been the most significant blunder by the self-proclaimed caliphate ever.

Lt. Al-Kasasbeh was a member of a prominent Jordanian tribe that strongly supports King Abdullah II, but which also was strongly opposed to Jordanian participation in the US-led “coalition of the willing” waging war against ISIL.  The brutal murder of Lt. al-Kasasbeh has significantly altered the political equation inside Jordan. 

Just hours after the video of the burning to death of Lt. al-Kasasbeh surfaced, King Abdullah II ordered the execution-by-hanging of two death row prisoners, Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad Karbouli.  Both were top Jihadists.  Days before the video of the burning to death of Lt. al-Kasasbeh surfaced, ISIL’s spokesman had demanded the release of Al-Rishawi in exchange for the Jordanian pilot.  Jordanian officials were ready to make the prisoner swap, on the condition that ISIL provided evidence that Lt. Al-Kasasbeh was still alive.  The proof was never provided and, instead, the gruesome video was posted, showing his execution.

Following the announcement of the execution of the two death row ISIL prisoners, the father of Lt.  Al-Kasasbeh, declared that the executions were insufficient, and that nothing short of the annihilation of ISIL would be acceptable. http://mebriefing.com/?p=1487&utm_source=MEB+VOL+-+II_+Issue+63+Subscribers+Campaign+of+February+09+2015&utm_campaign=VOL+II+-+Issue+63&utm_medium=email