MANAMA // Bahrain has deployed war planes to Jordan, becoming the second Gulf country to send jets to help the Hashemite kingdom in its fight against ISIL in Syria and Iraq.
The UAE last week sent a squadron of F-16 jet fighters to Jordan to conduct airstrikes against the extremists alongside Jordanian planes.
“This move highlights the brotherly ties between Jordan and Bahrain, and comes in line with our belief in the importance of the war against terrorism,” said Jordan’s information minister Mohammad Al Momani on Monday.
Jordan has taken a leading role in conducting the strikes since the militants killed a Jordanian pilot, Maaz Al Kassasbeh, who was captured by the group after his plane crashed in Syria in December.
“A group of Bahraini Royal Air Force planes have landed in the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan to participate in the international effort to annihilate terrorism,” the state news agency BNA said on Sunday.
It did not say how many aircraft or what kind were sent.
Jordan’s King Abdullah has vowed to avenge Kassasbeh’s killing and ordered his commanders to prepare for a stepped-up military role in the coalition attacks.
Many Jordanians fear being dragged into a conflict that could trigger a backlash by hardline militants inside the kingdom. But support for the military campaign has grown since the pilot's killing.
Jordanian military experts say the ability of the kingdom to sustain its airstrikes would soon come under strain, given the 40 mid-life F16 jets the air force has at its disposal.
Washington is preparing plans to re-supply Jordan with munitions, according to US officials.
Bahrain is home to the US navy’s 5th Fleet and like the UAE and Jordan is part of the US-led coalition carrying out airstrikes against ISIL.
Bahraini king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited Jordan last week.
* Reuters and Agence France-Presse
