Ground assaults against IS not likely, spec-ops are — pundits

AMMAN — Ground military operations against the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist group are a highly unlikely option for Jordan now, military experts said on Wednesday, noting that the Kingdom has the ability to direct all raids against the group’s “centres of gravity”.

Following the release of a video showing a group of IS masked terrorists burning Jordan’s pilot Muath Kasasbeh alive, the government stated that several measures would be taken by the Kingdom to retaliate for the crime.

Experts and commentators interviewed by The Jordan Times said military intervention through intensified air strikes is the most likely option for now, but the future might hold other scenarios.

“At this stage, ground military operations look unlikely, but the armed forces will not hesitate to deal with any threats that might rise on our borders,” said Reda Btoush, vice chairman of the National Centre for Security and Crises Management.

A retired major general, Btoush told The Jordan Times that air campaigns against IS are expected to continue and will be focused more on high value targets with the aim of crippling the terror organisation and preventing it from expanding.

Adeeb Sarayrah, another military expert, says that there are several military and non-military options available at hand to defeat this group.

While agreeing that air strikes are the best option for the moment, noting that the aerial attacks were intensified by Jordan and the US-led coalition on Wednesday, the retired major general said the Kingdom has a well-trained and highly professional army that can target IS through special military operations on the ground.

“The ground war is unlikely to take place now, but in the near future there can be special operations on the ground targeting specific targets of IS,” the expert told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Mamoun Abu Nuwar, a military strategist, ruled out the possibility of waging a ground war against IS at the time being as this needs a “master plan” by members of the coalition.

Abu Nuwar, who is also a retired major general, explained that Jordan cannot lead such a war alone, but agreed with Sarayrah that there might be special operations in the near future.

He noted that targets should be revised and should be specific while striking IS from the air, and that air strikes should be aimed to paralyse the terrorist group.

Meanwhile, the three experts interviewed stressed that the war should not be a military one, but there must be a fight against the ideology of IS.

“We are now passing through a critical stage which requires continuous work to approach the Jordanians directly and sincerely with a balanced and clear awareness programme, supported by an active media campaign to expose the crimes of the terrorists,” Btoush stressed.

Fahed Khitan, a political analyst and a columnist at Al Ghad Arabic daily, echoed similar remarks.

However, he said that after this crime the Jordanian government and the people of the country will not be tolerant with any sympathisers of IS and its ideology.

“Unfortunately, there are IS supporters in Jordan as shown by a recent opinion poll, and regardless of the percentage of this group, there should be no tolerance in dealing with them,” Khitan told The Jordan Times.