RAQQA, Syria, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Jordan's air force says it is responsible for 56 airstrikes conducted in three days' time against Islamic State targets in Syria.
As a member of the U.S.-led international bombing campaign against IS known as Operation Inherent Resolve, Jordan has carried out nearly 20 percent of all sorties against IS targets in Syria, air force chief Gen. Mansour al-Jbour told the BBC.
A majority of Jordan's recent strikes, aimed at IS hideouts and logistic sites, have reportedly been focused in the area of Raqqa, Syria. "We achieved what we aimed at," Gen. Jbour said.
Jordan increased the tempo of its air attacks against IS after the group released a video Feb. 3 depicting previously downed and captured Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive in a cage.
Three days later U.S. Central Command released video of Jordanian airstrikes conducted Feb. 5 against IS facilities in the vicinity of Hasakah, northeast of Raqqa.
The United Arab Emirates recently revived its bombing operations against IS, sending an F-16 squadron to Jordan to assist in the campaign. U.A.E. and Jordan had previously halted airstrikes against IS when Kasasbeh was captured but renewed attacks after he was killed.
IS claims hostage American aid worker Kayla Mueller was killed by one of Jordan's airstrikes, but the claim has not been verified.
Operation Inherent Resolve is a two-pronged campaign against IS in both Syria and Iraq. Airstrikes against IS in Iraq have been conducted by the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, while Bahrain and Saudi Arabia join the U.A.E., Jordan and the United States in conducting airstrikes against IS in Syria.
