Islamic State using pilot hostage crisis to exploit internal divisions in Jordan
Militants holding air force pilot exploit hostage crisis to highlight kingdom's support for US-led coalition and foment opposition to the regime
The fate of a Jordanian pilot held by Islamic State has raised public pressure on King Abdullah over his country's role in the United States-led military campaign against the hardline group in Syria, fuelling the risk of broader discontent in the US ally.
After his capture in December, militants released pictures of the young pilot, Muath al-Kasaesbeh, being led out of the water by fighters. His F-16 jet had smashed onto the banks of the Euphrates River in Islamic State's stronghold in northern Syria.
The images of the young, newly wed pilot shocked Jordanians and brought home the risks of the country's involvement in the war.
Abdullah has defended the campaign, saying that moderate Muslims need to combat a group whose ideology and brutality have insulted the spirit of Islam.
But in Kasaesbeh's hometown of Karak, dozens of young people protested, chanting anti-coalition slogans and calling on the king to pull out of the campaign.
"We will not be a sacrificial cow for America!" angry youths chanted last month in a city whose tribes have long been a bulwark of support for the Hashemite monarchy.
Although few believe the crisis will compel Jordan to withdraw completely from the campaign, it may take a more low-key role like in the past, analysts and diplomats predict.