CRI听力:Jordanian Pilot Captured by IS Burned Alive

Jordan's government is vowing "strong, earth-shaking and decisive" action, following the release of an Islamic State video showing the death of a Jordanian pilot the group had been holding.

The grizzly video shows the young pilot, Muath al-Kaseasbeh, being burned to death inside a steel cage.

Jordanian authorities are reportedly preparing to execute a jailed Iraqi woman the Islamic State had been demanding in return for the pilot's freedom.

At the same time, local reports in Jordan are suggesting the young pilot, who was shot down in December, was actually killed nearly a month ago.

Kaseasbeh is the first pilot from the US-led coalition to be captured by the Islamic State.

Jordan's King Abdullah has issued a statement, calling the killing an act of "cowardly terror."

"In these difficult moments, it is the duty of all Jordanian citizens to stand united, to show the strength of this people in fighting this group. This will only give us more strength and resistance."
The King is cutting-short his current visit to the United States, where he has just finished securing a one-billion US dollar increase in annual aide from the United States.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has issued a strong condemnation of the pilot's murder.

"I don't know the details of the confirmations but should, in fact, this video be authentic it's just one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity of this organization and it, I think, will re-double the vigilance and determination on the part of a global coalition to make sure that they are degraded and ultimately defeated."

The White House says Obama has ordered all resources be made available to locate other hostages currently being held by the Islamic State.