Islamic State WANTED Jordan to hang prisoners in an act that only boosts terror group

ISLAMIC STATE extremists WANTED Jordan to execute two prisoners in response to their murder of a pilot – with the act likely to boost the terror group, an expert has suggested.

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Lieutenant Al-Kasaesbeh's killing came after weeks of negotiations between Jordan and IS AP•REUTERS

Lieutenant Al-Kasaesbeh's killing came after weeks of negotiations between Jordan and IS

Following the release of footage showing hostage fighter pilot Lieutenant Muath al-Kasaesbeh, 26,  being burned alive, the Jordanian government yesterday executed two death row prisoners – including a failed Iraqi suicide bomber – in retaliation.

However, a Middle East terrorism expert has suggested the revenge hangings could have been exactly the response the so-called Islamic State (IS) had hoped for.

Islamic State are masters at promoting fear. I think they are showing they are willing to go to any lengths to get what they want

Dr Natasha Underhill

Lieutenant Al-Kasaesbeh's killing came after weeks of attempted negotiations between the Jordanian government and IS, who had vowed to release the pilot in exchange for would-be Iraqi suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi, 44.

But Dr Natasha Underhill, a senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, reckons IS were only looking to "antagonise the Jordanian government" throughout the negotiation process.

"Its all about strategising and tactics with this group," she told Express.co.uk.

"Islamic State are masters at promoting fear… we're not even sure if they ever planned on getting that hostage [Al-Rishawi] released.

"Maybe their end goal was to have this retributive act by the Jordanian government.

"I think since the evidence suggests he [Lieutenant Al-Kasaesbeh] was killed almost a month ago there was another meaning behind IS releasing the beheading videos [of Western hostages such as Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa] and negotiation process.

"It was just to antagonise the Jordanian government and to play the field – see if they would be interested in negotiations and to see how far would they would get."

Safi al-Kaseasbeh, father of slain Jordanian pilot, addresses mourners AP

Safi al-Kaseasbeh, father of slain Jordanian pilot, addresses mourners

The Jordanian pilot was set ablaze in a cage in the highly-choreographed propaganda video AP

The Jordanian pilot was set ablaze in a cage in the highly-choreographed propaganda video

Dr Underhill described the reaction from the Jordanian government in subsequently executing the two prisoners as "negative".

And she suggested the response from Jordan will only serve to help the IS, also known as ISIS or ISIL, terror campaign.

"Hanging prisoners simply because of payback or retribution is not the way to deal with an organisation like ISIS who are masters of propaganda and will now use this to maybe gain more support," she added.

Jordan's King Abdullah II yesterday said his country are preparing to wage a "relentless" war against IS in order to "protect our faith, our values and human principles".

King Abdullah saw negotiations for Lieutenant Kasaesbeh's release stall when IS refused to verify if the military pilot was alive.

In a highly-choreographed propaganda video released on Tuesday showing his murder, Lieutenant Kasaesbeh was interviewed about conducting airstrikes against IS before his jet crashed.

The IS hostage then appeared in a cage doused in flammable liquid as one of a dozen masked radicals sets alight a trail of fuel leading to an 'X' at the fighter pilot's feet.

The pilot was then set ablaze and fell to his knees in the cage, with the killing now believed to have taken place a month ago.

Lieutenant Kasaesbeh was interviewed about conducting airstrikes against IS AP

Lieutenant Kasaesbeh was interviewed about conducting airstrikes against IS

Asked about the escalating brutality of IS, Dr Underhill dismissed claims the change in the terror group's method of murder is due to the West becoming "immune to the beheading videos".

Previously, IS videos have shown Western hostages being decapitated by a knife-wielding militant dubbed 'Jihadi John'.

"I think they are showing they are willing to go to any lengths to get what they want," she said.

"Burning somebody alive shows they have no fear, they have no end-point, they are willing to go any distance necessary to get their aims and objectives met."

Dr Underhill suggested one of the biggest dangers to the world is now posed by the growing number of terror groups desperately seeking association with IS.

Among these are the Sinai Province, responsible for terror attacks in Egypt earlier this week, who pledged their allegiance to IS late last year.

Al Kassasbeh family calls for the destruction of IS group

The latter group beheaded four Egyptians in a copycat propaganda video late last year.

Dr Underhill said: "One of big fears is that [IS] could start using this to expand further. So if we see ISIS infiltration into Northern Africa we're then trying to fight them on three different fronts.

"This is incomprehensible because as it stands we are so far behind in trying to deal with them."

Dr Underhill's comments come as MPs were today urged to do more to combat the threat posed by IS.

The House of Commons'  all-party Defence Committee criticised Britain’s “strikingly modest” role so far and the failure of defence chiefs to set out a “clear and articulate” plan to thwart the extremist group.

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