Has Kayla Jean Mueller become “collateral damage” from a Jordanian airstrike? (image The Courier)

Today I received a message to say that Islamic State (IS) have announced the alleged death of American hostage, humanitarian worker Kayla Jean Mueller (26) of Prescott Arizona due to a “Jordanian air strike” over ar-Raqqah, Syria. Jordan recently upped its aerial bombardment of IS following the burning alive of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh by members of the group which was captured on video in graphic detail and created global shockwaves.

Hala Jaber, a Sunday Times journalist tweeted that Jordanian pilots were on an “avenge mission” entitled “Operation martyr Muath” sending written messages to IS which can be seen on the sides of their planes in the following video clip,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zYQEU9y1z4I&feature=player_embedded … ”

This could have backfired. If Mueller’s death is confirmed it may be a hideous “own goal” for Coalition forces as it will be difficult to prove the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged death of this young woman and whether Jordanian pilots were responsible for her death or not. Some terror analysts believe that this is another IS “publicity stunt.” Doubts are being tweeted across social media suggesting she may have been killed at the hands of IS as opposed to Coalition pilots. Jordan must at least know the coordinates of the areas its planes hit on the date and time specified and if there is a possibility of a strike in the stated area? Although many in Jordan have rallied in protests to support air strikes, this news will likely raise some concerns in civilians as to the wisdom of continued bombing of Iraq and Syria given the increasing risk to pilots.

 Building where Mueller was allegedly killed in Jordanian air strike

(source, Hala Jaber)

SITE (intelligence group) released a translation of the official IS statement on Kayla Jean Mueller which reads as follows,

“The Failed Jordanian Aircraft Killed an American Female Hostage

The criminal Crusader coalition aircraft bombarded a site outside the city of ar-Raqqah today at noon while the people were performing the Friday prayer. The air assaults were continuous on the same location for more than an hour.

Allah made their pursuit disappointed and deterred their cunning, and no mujahid was injured in the bombardment, and all praise is due to Allah.

It was confirmed to us the killing of an American female hostage by fire of the shells dropped on the site, and she is Kayla Jean Mueller.”

According to the The Daily Courier (May 2013) Mueller was involved in work “with a non government organization whose name translates to Dignity to help Syrian refugee women develop the skills they need to support themselves and their family.” She also helped reunite a man whose refugee camp was bombed in Turkey with hismissing child relatives. She is reported as saying,

“Syrians are dying by the thousands, and they’re fighting just to talk about the rights we have.”

“For as long as I live, I will not let this suffering be normal. (I will not let this be) something we just accept…. It’s important to stop and realize what we have, why we have it and how privileged we are. And from that place, start caring and get a lot done.”

For more on Mueller click the following link,

http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=119744

Further image of building allegedly hit by Jordanian airstrikes

(source, Haler Jaber)

Max Abrahams (Terrorism Theorist, Northeastern University, US)  tweeted,

“Theories on why IS blames Jordan for American hostage death: 

1. To weaken coalition

2. To minimize backlash against group”

“IS was shooting for propaganda victory by blaming hostage’s death on Jordanian airstrikes while ‘the people were performing Friday prayer'”

“1. Find me someone who believes ISIS that Jordan killed the American hostage.

2. Find me a bridge to sell him.”

Congressman Paul Gosar representing the 4th district of Arizona (the home area of Mueller) released the following statement,

“I am deeply concerned about the recent allegations of Prescott’s own Kayla Mueller, kidnapped by ISIS terrorists in August of 2013. However, in the interest of the family and of the investigation, it is important to wait for the intelligence community to gather more information before making any conclusions. My staff and I have been in close communication with the State Department, and I will continue to monitor the ongoing situation.”

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.