UAE launches fresh airstrikes on ISIL targets

ABU DHABI // UAE fighter jets based in Jordan launched a wave of air strikes against ISIL targets yesterday.

The jets hit their targets and returning safely to base, the General Command of the Armed Forces said.

The F-16 squadron was deployed to Jordan on Sunday to boost the kingdom’s fight against ISIL after the militants murdered a Jordanian pilot by burning him alive.

C-17 transporters and refuelling planes were also sent on the orders of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The UAE and Jordan are part of the US-led coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against ISIL since last year.

The attacks came as the family of a young American aid worker held hostage by the extremist group confirmed that she had been killed.

Kayla Jean Mueller, 26, was taken captive in August 2013 while leaving a hospital in Syria. Her identity had been kept secret until ISIL claimed last week that she had died in a Jordanian airstrike.

“We are heartbroken to share that we’ve received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller has lost her life,” Carl and Marsha Mueller said yesterday.

“Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice and peace.”

Meanwhile Bashar Al Assad claimed yesterday that Damascus receives information about coalition airstrikes against ISIL in Syria.

“Sometimes, they convey a message, a general message,” the Syrian president said. “There is no dialogue. There’s, let’s say, information, but not dialogue. There’s no direct cooperation.”

The messages came to Damascus through third parties. Mr Al Assad said. “More than one party, Iraq and other countries. Sometimes they convey messages, general messages. But there’s nothing tactical.”

Syria says the raids cannot defeat ISIL unless the international community starts co-operating with Syrian troops on the ground, but Washington has ruled out co-operating with the Assad regime against ISIL and the Syrian leader has said Damascus had no interest in joining the coalition.

“No, definitely we cannot,” Mr Al Assad repeated yesterday.