The Islamic State (IS) has published what it claims is an interview with the Jordanian pilot captured by the group last week.
First Lieutenant Muath al-Kasaesbeh was captured by the group in Syria last week when he ejected from his downed F-16 jet. IS fighters took him hostage, publicising the pilot’s capture online with a series of photos of the incident.
There is currently no independent verification for the authenticity of the interview.
In the interview, al-Kasaesbeh is asked a series of questions about the operations of coalition forces in the fight against the Islamic State, with his answers listing the various nations contributing to the action against the group, and the locations from where they are operating the air strikes against the group.
“The Jordanian jets take off from Jordan,” he said. “The Gulf jets in general take off from Kuwait, Saudi, and Bahrain. There are also some airports designated for emergency landing: Azraq Airport in Jordan, ‘Ar’ar Airport in Saudi, Baghdad International Airport, Kuwaiti International Airport, and an airport in a Turkish city – whose name I forget – about 100 kilometers (sic) from the Syrian border.”
Dabiq then asks him: “And the crusaders, what bases do they use?”
“Some of the American and French jets take off from Prince Hassan Air Base and Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base. Some of the American jets also take off from Turkey. Al-Kasaesbeh goes on to describe the shooting down of his plane and his capture,” he replies.
He then goes on to describe the downing of his plane and moment of his capture. This account backs up the Islamic State claim that the plane was shot down – a claim for which the Jordanian government has said there is no proof.
“My plane was struck by a heat-seeking missile. I heard and felt its hit,” he said.
“The other Jordanian pilot in the mission – the first lieutenant pilot SaddÄm MardÄ«nÄ« – contacted me from a participating jet and told me that I was struck and that fire was coming out of the rear nozzle of my engine.
“I checked the system display and it indicated that the engine was damaged and burning. The plane began to deviate from its normal flight path, so I ejected. I landed in the FurÄt River by parachute and the seat caught on some ground, keeping me fixed, until I was captured by soldiers of the Islamic State,” al-Kasaesbeh allegedly said.
The final question to the pilot is: “Do you know what the Islamic State will do with you?”
“Yes I do”, he answers. “They will kill me.”
