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U.S. defense chief extends condolences on murder of Jordanian pilot

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday extended his deepest condolences to the family of Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kassasbeh, who "was brutally murdered after being taken captive" by the Islamic State (IS) terrorists.

Hagel said in a DOD statement that the horrific and savage killing of the Jordanian pilot is yet another example of IS's contempt for life itself.

The United States and its military "stand steadfast alongside our Jordanian friends and partners," the defense chief said.

Also a statement issued on Tuesday by the U.S. Central Command condemned al-Kasasbeh's murder at the hands of IS terrorists.

This vicious act is yet another example of IS's brutality and warped ideology, said the command chief Lloyd Austin III. "First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

IS militants released a video on Tuesday purporting to show the Jordanian pilot captured on Dec. 24 being burned alive in a cage, days after the militants beheaded a Japanese journalist. Jordan has just confirmed the authenticity of the video and vowed to revenge.

"The armed forces mourn the martyred hero and emphasize that his blood will not be wasted," said a Jordanian military statement, pledging a revenge "in the same level of the Jordanian tragedy."

Meanwhile, the Jordanian King Abdullah has cut short a visit to Washington, D.C. following the release of the video.

In an address broadcast by Jordan TV, the King called for unity after the murder of the pilot by IS, saying that "We received with great sadness and anger the news about the killing of the pilot on the hands of the stray criminals of IS who has nothing to do with Islam."

The pilot "dies defending his religion, country and nation," said the King, adding that "it is the duty of all to be united at this difficult times, which will only make us stronger." Endite