United Arab Emirates Suspended Airstrikes Against The Islamic State After Jordanian Pilot Capture

Fighter jets belonging to the Jordanian Royal Air Force fly over the headquarters of the family clan of Jordanian pilot Maaz Al Kassasbeh in the city of Karak on Wednesday. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) pulled out of the air campaign fighting IS militants after the capture of a Jordanian pilot who has since been killed by the extremists, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Photo - Reuters

New York Times: United Arab Emirates, Key U.S. Ally in ISIS Effort, Disengaged in December

WASHINGTON — The United Arab Emirates, a crucial Arab ally in the American-led coalition against the Islamic State, suspended airstrikes against the Sunni extremist group in December, citing fears for its pilots’ safety after a Jordanian pilot was captured and who the extremists said had been burned to death, United States officials said Tuesday.

WNU Editor: Apparently this is the reason why the UAE dropped out of the coalition ....

.... The United Arab Emirates are demanding that the Pentagon improve its search-and-rescue efforts, including the use of V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, in northern Iraq, closer to the battleground, instead of basing the missions in Kuwait, administration officials said.

In short .... and this is very revealing (rightly or wrongly) .... they dropped out because they did not see the U.S. committed to the fight against the Islamic State. The rest of the New York Times article adds more to the growing frustration in the Middle East on the White House's commitment in the war against the Islamic State and the role that Iran is playing.

More News On The United Arab Emirates Suspending Airstrikes Against The Islamic State After The Jordanian Pilot Capture

UAE pulled out of ISIS fight after pilot capture: report -- Daily Star/AFP
UAE halted Isis air attacks after pilot capture -- The Guardian
Blow to anti-Isil coalition as United Arab Emirates 'pull out' -- The Telegraph
UAE leaves coalition against Isis: US ally halted air strikes after Moaz al-Kasasbeh capture -- IBTimes
US: Key Arab ally no longer flying airstrikes over Syria -- AP
United Arab Emirates suspends airstrikes against Islamic State, asks U.S. for better rescue plans -- Washington Times
Pentagon Claims UAE Conducting Airstrikes in Syria Despite Denials -- Weekly Standard
Concern Over Iranian Influence Cited as a Key Reason for UAE’s Suspension of Anti-ISIS Operations -- The Tower
Pilots weigh in on UAE suspending airstrikes against IS -- Military Times