Bahrain sends jet fighters to enhance Jordan’s anti-Daesh campaign

AMMAN — A group of jet fighters from the Royal Bahraini Air Force arrived in Jordan on Sunday to support anti-terrorism efforts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Earlier on Sunday, Bahrain had announced that it would send troops to Jordan to help in efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

Manama’s decision came in line of mutual defence cooperation deals and “solid brotherly ties” between the two kingdoms, Petra reported.

Mohammad Momani, the government spokesperson, told The Jordan Times that the Kingdom appreciates the support provided by Bahrain, adding that it indicates that Bahrain shares Jordan’s position on the anti-terror fight. 

He noted that this move highlights  the brotherly ties between Jordan and Bahrain, adding that it also comes in line with “our belief” in the importance of the war against terrorism and that it is a war that Arabs and Muslims lead to defend Islam.

The two sides agreed earlier this month to increase cooperation in “air defence”. 

Jordan has repeatedly stressed that ground assaults against terrorists are out of question. 

Last week, King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain visited Jordan and expressed his country’s solidarity with the Kingdom at a meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah.

The two leaders underlined that the war on terrorism aims to protect Islam and its image as a faith of tolerance and moderation from the "brutality" of Daesh.

Discussions also focused on ways to foster cooperation between the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and the Bahraini military, particularly in the area of air defence.

Bahrain is the second Arab country to support Jordan after the Kingdom intensified its air attacks against Daesh following the news of the burning alive of Jordan’s pilot Muath Kasasbeh by the terrorist group.

A squadron of F-16 jet fighters of the United Arab Emirates air force arrived at Royal Jordanian Air Force bases last week to reinforce Jordan’s air power as the country intensified its campaign against Daesh.

Meanwhile, the United States is readying plans to resupply Jordan with munitions in the coming weeks, possibly including precision-guided arms, expediting support for the Kingdom as it expands its role in air strikes against Daesh, according to Reuters.

The State Department and Pentagon declined to comment on any future moves to assist Jordan with requests for weapons. But several US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that planning was well under way to help replenish Jordan’s supplies of ordnance, the agency added.

Jordanian officials refused to comment on the issue and on how the Kingdom would expand its war against Daesh.