Jordan Islamists reject anti-IS campaign

Islamist leaders in Jordan have criticised their country's participation in a US-led air offensive against the Islamic State in Syria after the military confirmed it had carried out airstrikes on Tuesday against the militant group.

"These strikes should have been directed at the Jews, who just pounded Gaza and killed its people," Jordanian salafist leader Mohamed al-Shalabi told Anadolu Agency.

Describing the anti-IS campaign as "a new crusade," al-Shalabi asserted that it was "haram" (religiously prohibited) for Muslims to join the offensive.

"These are Western agendas that aim to undermine Islam," he said.

Zaki Bani Arshid, deputy leader of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood, for his part, reiterated his group's rejection of Jordan's participation in the campaign.

"This is not our war; we aren't interested in fighting on others' behalf," he told AA.