Jordan: United in sorrow, united against IS

The large flag of Jordan is flying at half-staff high over the capital of Amman. The nation is mourning the death of the murdered pilot Moaz al-Katib, who was burned alive by the terror group Islamic State. You can see the flag quite well from Rainbow Street, a popular nightlife district in the center of Amman. It is noontime and mostly young people meet here for a coffee and enjoy the warm winter sun.

IS terror actually seems to be far away, but even here people are worried. "This is actually not our war, but now it has become our problem," says Oraib Majali, a young student. "I have no idea what will happen next here," she says. Others are also concerned about Jordan getting more deeply involved in the war in the neighboring countries Iraq and Syria. "The right reaction would be for all Arabic countries to work together and not just Jordan," says Muhammed Qtoush, who studies in Egypt. What Islamist State is doing is awful and frightening. Everyone should do something about them. "

Danger is approaching

For many Jordanians, the death of the pilot has brought the war and political chaos in neighboring Syria and Iraq much closer to home. The video showing the young man burning for over 22 minutes has been engraved in the nation's memory. Jordan's King Abdullah II had announced a "merciless war" against IS and has evoked a sense of the peoples' solidarity.

Ever since then the Jordanian air force has been increasing air strikes with the support of their ally, the USA. Now, you can occasionally hear the rumble of Jordanian fighter planes over the otherwise quaint capital. In one of the retaliatory attacks on IS posts, an American hostage held by the jihadists since August was allegedly killed. IS terrorists claim that the aid worker from the US was apparently killed in a Jordanian air strike near the northern Syrian city of Raqqa.

The Islamic State is trying to split the US-led alliance, claim observers. But these questions are not of interest to Jordanians right now. "This gruesome form of murder has given Jordan more leeway to crack down on IS," says security expert Amer Al Sabaileh."The country can take more rigorous military action than it has until now and it will make use of its options. Surrounded by Syria, Iraq and Sinai, Jordan virtually lies in the center of all these conflicts. "

Widespread support for military action

Many Jordanians skeptically observed the participation of their military forces in the US led alliance against IS militia. Together with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Jordan is only one of the four Arab states taking military action against IS. Publically, the government in Amman was reluctant about military commitments in this alliance. That has changed since the Jordanian fighter plane crashed and the pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was taken hostage by IS.

Al-Kasasbeh had probably already been killed in early January. Ever since the video appeared on Tuesday night, Jordan's King Abdullah drawn the people's widespread support - even if there is restrained criticism. "The people are very angry and emotional; I can understand that. But people should never act on vindictiveness," says Mothana Ghariabeh, who calls himself a left-wing activist. "It should be somewhat more distinct and bear in mind the problems in our nation," he says.

He would particularly like a broader coalition of Arabic states to take action against IS. A US-led alliance would play right into the hands of those who accuse the West of only wanting to enforce their own agenda.

The Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood also approves of the air strikes. The group has already publicly spoken out against IS in the past. "We support the air strikes," says Mohammed Qudah, a representative of the Muslim Brotherhood. "But we are clearly against taking part in a ground offensive." No one has yet spoken about this at all, at least not officially.

Intensified military activity?

Military experts assume that Jordan will continue to intensify the air strikes. They are even speculating about special missions against IS leaders. "Jordanians will have to accept the fact that this is not a conflict that will be over in a month," says commentator Amer al-Sabaileh. "Ultimately, this is not just military intervention but a battle against an ideology which is also ingrained in our society."

Even in Jordan there are IS supporters in Salafist-jihadist circles. In a survey conducted in September by the Center for Strategic Studies in Amman, ten percent of surveyed Jordanians expressed their sympathy for IS. At that time, however, around 80 percent viewed the terrorist group as one of the greatest threats to stability in the country. An estimated 2,000 Jordanians are fighting for IS in Syria at the moment, making them the third strongest group behind Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. In past months, Jordanian security forces have arrested dozens of people who have expressed sympathy for IS in social networks. Observers fear that the war on terror is eclipsing the country's domestic problems and reform plans.

But right now sorrow and anger over the murder prevail. And the King's call for unity has been well- received. Several thousands of Jordanians march through the center of Amman - in one of the largest demonstrations in recent years, claim local media. There are pictures of the assassinated pilot everywhere - but also pictures of King Abdullah. Even Queen Rania briefly mingles with the demonstrators.

"We are all Moaz, "and, "long live King Abdullah," chant the demonstrators on this Friday "Moaz has lost his life for us and we have to show unity now," says a young woman with a picture of the murdered pilot in her hands. Fifteen-year-old Khalid Fouary has come to the demonstration with his father to set an example. "This is how I support the King so he can destroy IS. IS is destroying the reputation of true Islam," says the youth with the serious face. The people around him nod in agreement.