Jihadi Preacher Condemns IS Pilot Burning

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A prominent jihadi preacher has hit out at Islamic State (IS) militants after Jordanian pilot Mu'ath al Kassasbeh was burnt to death.

Abu Mohammed al Maqdesi made the criticism as Jordan carried out a series of air raids against IS positions in Syria and Iraq.

He told Jordanian TV station Roya that Lt al Kassasbeh's gruesome murder was "not acceptable by any religion and by anyone".

It comes after the European Union announced it was pledging an extra billion euros (£750m) to help the fight against IS militants in both countries.

Jordan's military said "dozens of jet fighters" struck IS targets on Thursday, hitting militant training camps as well as weapons and ammunition depots.

On their return they flew over the Jordanian capital Amman and Lt al Kassasbeh's home town of Karak.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told Sky News: "This is a fight we have to see through until the end of the day.

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Gallery: Jordan Reacts To Murder Of Pilot

Jordan's Queen Rania (C) offers her condolences to the family of Jordanian pilot Muath al Kasaesbeh, at their family home of Muath in the city of Karak

King Abdullah (L) offers his condolences to Safi al Kasaesbeh, the father of Jordanian pilot Muath al Kasaesbeh, at the headquarters of the family's clan in the city of Karak

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A Royal Jordanian Air Force plane takes off from an air base on a mission to target Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa

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Consecutive airstrikes were launched to demolish strongholds held by the terror organisation Daesh. The aircraft attacked positions that include training centres and ammunition warehouses

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A bomb with Koranic verses is pictured on a Royal Jordanian Air Force plane at an air base

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"It is global war; it is a world war by other means. You have over 80 nationalities involved.

"You saw tragic incidents in Sydney, in Ottawa, in Paris and more recently the brutal murders of the hostages this organisation has.

"So it is an international effort, and international resolve is solid and unwavering."

Jordan has conducted regular air raids against IS across the border in Syria as part of a US-led campaign against the Sunni extremist group.

But it is stepping up military action after IS posted a video of Lt al Kassasbeh being burned to death in a cage.

The video sparked outrage in Jordan, which vowed to "wage all-out war to protect our principles and values".

King Abdullah II cut short a visit to the US and returned home immediately after the video emerged.

He said: "The blood of martyr Mu'ath al Kassasbeh will not be in vain and the response of Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe."

In response Jordan executed two Iraqis on death row - would-be suicide bomber Sajida al Rishawi and al Qaeda operative Ziad al Karboli.

On Thursday King Abdullah II travelled to Karak, which lies 74 miles south of Amman, to offer his condolences to Lt al Kassasbeh's family.

Hundreds of people gathered as the monarch sat with the 26-year-old's heartbroken father in a specially-erected mourning tent.

The EU said on Friday that funds for Iraq and Syria will be backed by measures including anti-radicalisation programmes, fresh aid, moves to block terror financing and counter the flow of foreign fighters to the region.

It added it would boost assistance to countries coping with refugees fleeing the violence in Syria. Some 3.2 million people have fled over the border into Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

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