The stepped-up offensive against Islamic State (ISIS) militants by US-led coalition forces has resulted in the group losing about 20 percent of its military capabilities and 7,000 of its fighters since last September.
This was said at a news conference on 8 February by the head of Jordanian Air Force, General Mansour Al-Jbour. Jordan alone, he said, has carried out nearly 20 percent of the total sorties till date.
He also said Jordan has intensified its attacks on ISIS ever since the group burnt alive Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kassasbeh (aka Muaz). "We achieved what we were looking for: revenge for Muaz," said the general, adding, "And this is not the end. This is the beginning."
The country has vowed to destroy the jihadist group after the militants released a video of the pilot being burnt to death inside a cage.
Al-Jbour said Jordan has destroyed 56 of ISIS targets since last Thursday in air strikes.
"We are determined to wipe them from the face of the Earth," he said, echoing the strong words from Jordan's King Abdullah, who had vowed "relentless war" against ISIS. The king had also said that his country would hunt down and kill the insurgents until it "runs out of fuel and bullets."
It is widely felt that the Islamic State's execution of the pilot has backfired on the group by making the US-led coalition come stronger against them. The US and several Arab allies including Jordan have been striking against the group since September.
According to al-Jabour, coalition planes have flown 5,500 sorties since the mission began, including 2000 reconnaissance flights. Jordan's air force participated in 946 sorties till date.
