Hours after Jordan's King Abdullah threatened to launch a "relentless war" against the Islamic State for burning their citizen alive, reports surfaced suggesting that Jordanian air forces had already begun carrying out air strikes in which around 55 ISIS militants were killed.
It has also been learnt that that the air strikes in Mosul has killed a top IS commander, known as the "Prince of Nineveh", Iraqi media reported.
Jordan's King Abdullah, who is a trained pilot, is reportedly personally involved in executing the air strikes against Islamic State. Earlier, Jordan had vowed an "earth-shaking" response to the brutal killing of its citizen.
Earlier on Wednesday, after the jihadist group had released the video of the Jordanian pilot being burnt alive, King Abdullah had pledged to wage a "relentless war" against Islamic State on their own territory.
"We are waging this war to protect our faith, our values and human principles and our war for their sake will be relentless and will hit them in their own ground," state television quoted the King as saying during a security meeting.
Jordan has also executed two Iraqi jihadists, including a woman named Sajida al-Rishawi - a failed suicide bomber - whose release was sought by ISIS.
News outlets - Shafaqna news and Iraqinews.com - have cited informed sources claiming that King Abdullah is personally flying sorties in the attack against the terrorist group.
Reports on social media also claim that the King of Jordan will be involved in flying missions against the Islamic State. Middle East commentator Joseph Braude wrote on social media: "Reports that Jordanian King Abdullah, himself a pilot, will fly sorties on ISIS targets."
Political commentator Tab Berg also tweeted confirming his participation in the airstrikes. "Can't wait to hear #BrianWilliams account of his rides with #kingabdullah combat missions," he said.
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