Jordanians express solidarity with IS captured pilot on social media

AMMAN – Social media networks were flooded Wednesday with thousands of posts and tweets by Jordanians in an expression of solidarity with captured Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh and his family members. 

The Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot was captured by the Islamic State (IS) group on Wednesday after his plane went down in northeastern Syria, relatives of the pilot and officials confirmed.

Images of the capture of Kasasbeh, 27, from Karak Governorate, were shared by users on Facebook and Twitterafter his capture by IS fighters.

A number of pages and hashtags were created in support of the Jordanian pilot and many social media users shared his Facebook account. 

“This is heartbreaking and it angers me what these terrorists are doing in the name of my religion,” ‏Zaina Al Fraihat (@zainafraihat1) tweeted. 

Sama Al Araj (@SamaAlaraj) voiced hope that Muath will be back to his family safely. 

“I want to express solidarity with our brother the Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh who was captured by Daesh [the Arabic acronym for Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant],” Ateah Qralleh (@AteahQ) tweeted.

Another Twitter user, Ibrahim Qdah (@ibrahimqq1979) wrote: “Yes Muath, you are a strong eagle, you are the son of Jordan. We are all with you. You are the son of the Jordanian Arab Army.”

Salim Nuqul (@salimnuqul) tweeted: “Jordan is thousands of years old and it has not stopped giving birth to heroes over the years. You are a Nashmi and our hero. You are the son of the Arab Army.”    

A Facebook page with the Arabic title “Muath Al Kasasbeh, we are all with you” was also created, posting the latest news about the air force pilot. 

Twitter users used Arabic hashtags such as “We are all Muath” and “Stay an eagle” to post messages of solidarity and news updates on Kasasbeh.

However, several pro-IS tweets were posted on the “We are all Muath” hashtag to attack Jordan for waging a war on “the caliphate” and express support for the terrorist group.

Several Lower House blocs condemned IS for capturing Kasasbeh, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The general assembly of the National Union Party and its Lower House bloc condemned IS and denounced the publication of any photos, information or videos that harm Kasasbeh’s dignity or safety, adding that doing so is an act of terrorism. 

The National Parliamentary Coalition at the Lower House also denounced IS, holding the group accountable for the pilot’s safety. 

The Lower House Reform bloc announced it held a meeting on Wednesday and discussed the incident, stressing its support to the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army in protecting the country and enhancing regional peace and security, Petra reported.