Pilot captured by ISIS after plane is shot down: Father pleads for his safe release - Mirror.co.uk

The father of a Jordanian pilot seized by Islamic State militants in Syria has pleaded for his release.

Describing his son as “a guest among brothers of ours in Syria Islamic State”, Youssef al-Kasaesbeh urged his “hosts” to “treat him well”.

Lt Moaz al-Kasaesbeh was captured after his F16 jet crashed in north-eastern Syria on Wednesday during a bombing mission.

Jordan is one of four Arab states in a US-led coalition that has launched air strikes on IS in Syria.

So far, the militants have not commented on the fate of the 26-year-old pilot.

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What caused his plane to crash near the IS stronghold of Raqqa is unclear.

IS claim to have shot it down with a heat-seeking missile. However, the US says “evidence clearly indicates” that this is not true.

Moaz al-Kasaesbeh’s father said: “I direct a message to our generous brothers of the Islamic State in Syria to host my son... with generous hospitality.”

The Jordanian military said it held IS and its supporters “responsible for the safety of the pilot and his life”.

The air forces of Jordan, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have carried out hundreds of air strikes on IS in Syria in the past three months.

Many of the targets have been in and around Raqqa, which is their ‘capital’.

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Youssef al-Kasaesbeh, father of the captured pilot

Earlier today Britain's Foreign Secretary spoke of his fears over the fate of the Jordanian pilot captured by the Islamic State after he was allegedly shot down by the jihadists.

Posting on Twitter, Phillip Hammond said: “Concerned for Jordanian pilot held by ISIL (IS). We stand with Jordan at this difficult time.”

The fighter pilot and parts of the wrecked jet have been paraded before the cameras, while Jordan has warned that it will hold the Islamist fanatics responsible if he is harmed.

It is the first time an aircraft taking part in the US-led bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria has been downed.

An investigation is ongoing as to whether the cause was hostile action or technical failure.

The US has said the plane crashed in northern Syria but that it had not been shot down by Islamic State militants. The RAF has only been flying sorties in Iraq.

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