Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United Arab Emirates has ended its participation in U.S.-led air strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.

Officials acknowledged that Abu Dhabi halted combat air missions against ISIL in both Iraq and Syria in late 2014 in wake of the capture of a Jordanian air force pilot. They said the UAE, concerned over a similar scenario, demanded greater U.S. participation in the war against ISIL, specifically search-and-rescue teams that would track all coalition air strikes.

Officials said Abu Dhabi, deemed one of the best Arab allies of the United States, marked a trend by Gulf Cooperation Council states to withdraw from the ISIL war as Washington moves to reconcile with Iran.

“More Arab states are viewing the war against ISIL as a means to expand military and other cooperation with Iran, something that cannot be tolerated by almost any regional state,” the official said.

In January 2015, Saudi Arabia was continuing air strikes on ISIL.

“The Emiratis asked a lot of questions regarding the Jordanian pilot and how he was abandoned when his plane crashed,” an official said. “They wanted a search-and-rescue infrastructure that could respond to any pilot distress within minutes.”

The UAE decision, first reported by the New York Times, marked another reduction in Arab participation in the U.S.-led war against ISIL. Jordan initially suspended combat operations after its F-16 pilot crashed in northern Syria and was captured by ISIL. On Feb. 3, ISIL showed a video in which a man said to have been the pilot was burned alive.

Officials said the UAE demanded a special SAR unit that would include the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. They said the V-22 as well as other platforms would follow all air strikes against ISIL and be prepared to locate and rescue downed pilots in northern Iraq within minutes.

U.S. Central Command has been briefed on the UAE request for SAR assets.