Jordanian flags and photos of Muath al-Kasasbeh lined the streets in Amman Friday afternoon as supporters marched in solidarity against Daesh.
"I'm Egyptian, my mother is Jordanian. But we are all Arab, and that's why I'm here," said 24-year-old Hanan Hussein. "Here are there Jordanians, there are Egyptians, there are Syrians. But we are all [against] Daesh."
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Amman to march, holding signs in support of the king and Muath al-Kasasbeh, a Jordanian pilot who was captured by Daesh and killed this week.
When Daesh released a video that revealed al-Kasasbeh being burned alive in a cage, King Abdullah II responded by executing two of Daesh's prisoners in Jordan, including suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi. The retaliation was largely welcomed by Jordanians, who during the march vowed revenge against Daesh and showed appreciation for a strong leader.
"It shows how strong the Jordanians are. We consider our king as a hero," said Jamal, a demonstrator at the march. All countries have been affected. ... Our king strongly shows his capability of handling the issue."
Demonstrators said it was important as Muslims to stand together against Daesh, a group that Jordanians said showed no ties to the "real Islam" by slaying a Muslim himself.
International communities have also reached out and shown their support for Jordan, including the US and Japan.
