IS publishes 'interview' with captured Jordanian pilot

A purported interview with the Jordanian pilot held captive by so called the Islamic State group (IS, formerly ISIS) was published online by the militants.

Moaz al-Kasasba, 26, was captured last week after his F-16 plane crashed in Syria near the IS-stronghold of Raqqa.

IS used the 'interview' to reject claims by Jordan and the United States that Kasasba's plane was not shot down by the militant group.

In comments attributed to the pilot, he says that his plane was hit by a heat-seeking missile, which is what IS claimed when Kasasba was captured on 24 December.

Kasasba's capture was a propaganda coup for IS, who have had to adopt a lower profile in public in the areas they control since the air strikes began in September.

The crash was the first time a warplane from the US-led coalition had gone down in the fighting.

The crash was the first time a warplane from the US-led coalition had gone down in the fighting.

In this so called 'interview', Kasasba discuss the co-ordination of the air strikes, as well as the ways in which various countries participate.

The pilot's own role was to "sweep" the area by destroying anti-aircraft weapons and preparing the ground for strike aircraft.

In a chilling passage, the interview alluded to Kasasba's fate, with 'the interviewer' quoted as saying that the pilot, pictured in an orange jumpsuit, would be shown a IS propaganda video that depicts the murder of prisoners by the group.

His father, Saif al-Kasasba, has urged the militant group to show "mercy" and not kill his son.

Jordan appears to be pursuing various different avenues to secure Kasasba's release, with reports emerging that the kingdom has asked Turkey for help, as well as its own Salafists, including imprisoned extremist leaders, who may have links with IS.

Jordan is among a number of countries that have joined the US-led air raids against IS, which has declared a "caliphate" straddling large parts of Iraq and Syria.