Saudi releases pictures of pilots who took part in strikes against ISIS

[Anees]

In a handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabian air force pilot Prince Khaled bin Salman sits in the cockpit of a fighter jet at an undisclosed location on September 23, 2014. (AFP)
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In a handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabian air force pilots sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet at an undisclosed location on September 23, 2014. (AFP)

One of the pilots involved in the raids is a son of Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz himself, according to Saudi newspapers.

Dozens of ISIS and Al-Qaeda militants were reported killed in the coalition air raids, sparking jihadist threats online where the Saudi pilots' photos reappeared.


In a handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), a Saudi Arabian air force pilot looks at flying jackets at an undisclosed location on September 23, 2014. (AFP)

“The Saudi pilots returned safe and sound Tuesday morning after having accomplished their duty in carrying out successful and effective strikes against the Islamic State extremist organisation in Syria,” SPA said overnight.

“My sons, the pilots, fulfilled their obligation toward their religion, their homeland and their king,” SPA quoted Crown Prince Salman as saying.


In a handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabian air force pilots pose for a photo at an undisclosed location after taking part in a mission to strike Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria on September 23, 2014. (AFP)

He was “proud of the professionalism and bravery” of the Saudi air force men, SPA said.

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan also confirmed their participation. Washington said Qatar was also involved.

Their combat mission happened to coincide with the kingdom's 84th national day.


In a handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabian air force pilots sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet at an undisclosed location on September 23, 2014. (AFP)

The kingdom's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh last month said Al-Qaeda and the ISIS group “have nothing to do with Islam and (their proponents) are the enemy number one of Islam”.

[With AFP]

Last Update: Thursday, 25 September 2014 KSA 01:42 - GMT 22:42

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/New...ts-who-took-part-in-strikes-against-ISIS.html

 

[Winchester]

I guess it was to motivate the public but it is dangerous for them i mean it only takes one idiot with a bullet...i was going through a twitter feed on Syria and people there were giving death threats to these guys

 

[flamer84]

Is this a good ideea ? I mean,them or their families could be targeted by terrorists.

 

[Iggy]

I have a fair idea why they realised those pilots pictures @Mosamania

 

[Imran Khan]

bad idea very bad

 

[Icarus]

Saudia really needs to get their shit together, these people are now in mortal danger! There is nothing sacred to IS, their sympathizers will not stop short of any extreme in hurting these men where it hurts most, family, friends are all fair game. RSAF should have given this a thought.

 

[Hussein]

bad idea very bad

it is a good idea i think because it shows:
hey see who is leading the country. we are not scared about you.
another nice step by KSA

 

[Mosamania]

Saudia really needs to get their shit together, these people are now in mortal danger! There is nothing sacred to IS, their sympathizers will not stop short of any extreme in hurting these men where it hurts most, family, friends are all fair game. RSAF should have given this a thought.

Saudi Arabia was banking on ISIS giving threats, people in the population who were reluctant to either support or condemn the attacks on ISIS are now fully behind these strikes.

The most trending hashtag in Saudi Arabia yesterday was #Our pilots are our heroes.

One thing you don't do in Saudi Arabia, is threaten or disrespect the military, especially recently where the military suddenly got a huge spike in popularity after the Houthi conflict.

Also Mabahith was all over the death threat twitter handle, I even made a few Mabahith friends

 

[Icarus]

Saudi Arabia was banking on ISIS giving threats, people in the population who were reluctant to either support or condemn the attacks on ISIS are now fully behind these strikes.

The most trending hashtag in Saudi Arabia yesterday was #Our pilots are our heroes.

One thing you don't do in Saudi Arabia, is threaten it disrespect the military, especially recently where the military suddenly got a huge spike in popularity after the Houthi conflict.

Also Mabahith was all over the death threat twitter handle, I even made a few Mabahith friends

PR objectives aside, don't you feel that the pictures painted a target on the pilots and gave ISIS the face of the coalition to target?

 

[Mosamania]

PR objectives aside, don't you feel that the pictures painted a target on the pilots and gave ISIS the face of the coalition to target?

Yes a lot of people are crying the same thing, myself included, that it is extremelly dangerous for the pilots and their families that their photos were shown. But ISIS is currently after all RSAF pilots, even the Saudi Hawks display team, which displays the name of the pilots on its website, they took their photos and pained them as "Wanted" by them.

So it doesn't make a difference, all pilots lives and their families are now in danger, ISIS put a price of 1M Saudi Riyal for anyone who kills a Saudi pilot. Any pilots not just these guys.

 

[Icarus]

Yes a lot of people are crying the same thing, myself included, that it is extremelly dangerous for the pilots and their families that their photos were shown. But ISIS is currently after all RSAF pilots, even the Saudi Hawks display team, which displays the name of the pilots on its website, they took their photos and pained them as "Wanted" by them.

So it doesn't make a difference, all pilots lives and their families are now in danger, ISIS put a price of 1M Saudi Riyal for anyone who kills a Saudi pilot. Any pilots not just these guys.

Damn, there was bound to be some blow back but 1 million riyals for killing a pilot? God save these guys and may they keep up the good work, hit those bastards where it hurts most!

 

[Mosamania]

These scum Darsh live on fear and on frightening others, they are like a wild dog, it will only bite if you start running.

But if you stand tall and look at it square in the eye, it will itself be afraid. And they are afraid, very very afraid now. Just yesterday I was called a Kafir 26 times by ISIS for supporting our pilots on twitter

Being a Kafir in the eyes of ISIS is the best title I ever had to be honest, better than my MD and my Ph.D

 

[Naval Strategist]

...From where these saudis think ... hopeless people

 

[Mosamania]

Damn, there was bound to be some blow back but 1 million riyals for killing a pilot? God save these guys and may they keep up the good work, hit those bastards where it hurts most!

Yeah I live in Taif, one of the most militarized cities in Saudi Arabia, yesterday I saw a pilot driving his car (Flight suit), and there was 2 military police cars behind him. This is a real war ladies and gentleman, and we still have reached the iseismo.

 

[Icarus]

Yeah I live in Taif, one of the most militarized cities in Saudi Arabia, yesterday I saw a pilot driving his car (Flight suit), and there was 2 military police cars behind him. This is a real war ladies and gentleman, and we still have reached the iseismo.

Yeah, we have an idea about what its like to fight an invisible enemy within your own borders. Best of luck to you guys.