WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US President Barack Obama condemned the killing of a captured Jordanian pilot by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, according to the president's remarks ton Tuesday
“This organization [IS] appears only interested in death and destruction,” Obama said at the White House.
On Tuesday, the IS released a video purporting to show Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh being burned alive in a cage.
The IS had demanded the release of an al-Qaeda prisoner held by Jordan in exchange for the return of al-Kasaesbeh, but Jordan first demanded proof the pilot was still alive.
“I just got word of the video that had been released. I don’t know the details of the confirmations. But should, in fact, this video be authentic, it's just one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity of this organization,” Obama said.
Jordan had threatened to execute all al-Qaeda prisoners it holds if its pilot was harmed.
The IS took Muath al-Kasaesbeh hostage in December when his plane crashed in northern Syria.
