The official Facebook page of The Royal Hashemite Court posted a picture of Jordan’s King Abdullah II dressed in military fatigues, prompting speculation that the former Cobra attack helicopter pilot might take part in bombing runs against the Islamic State group.
“His Majesty King Abdullah II, The Supreme Commander of Jordanian Armed Forces, cuts short his visit to the United States of America after the martyrdom of Muath Al Kasasbeh,” The Royal Hashemite Court posted on Facebook Tuesday.
Following the execution of Jordanian pilot Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh at the hands of Sunni radicals in Syria, the Jordanian government said there would be a “strong, earth-shaking and decisive,” response. King Abdullah II is also said to have quoted a line from Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” while meeting with U.S. Members of Congress, The Washington Examiner reported Wednesday.
“He said there is going to be retribution like ISIS hasn’t seen. He mentioned ’Unforgiven’ and he mentioned Clint Eastwood, and he actually quoted a part of the movie,” said Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr., The Washington Examiner reported.
The Jordanian government has denied the the king would take part in bombing runs, but he has been called the “warrior king” due to decades of military service. The image has gone viral since Wednesday.
King Abdullah II enrolled in the U.K.’s Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1980 and became an elite Cobra attack helicopter pilot, Business Insider reported Thursday.
SEE ALSO: Muath al-Kaseasbeh to be avenged with ‘earth-shaking’ response, says Jordan
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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