Syrian Warplane Shot Down, Pilot dead

A day after a deadly US-led coalition attack on a Syrian Army position in Deir Ezzor claimed the lives of over 60 soldiers, a Syrian Air Force plane was shot down and its pilot killed.

SANA, a Syrian publication quoting military sources said that the warplane was shot down while carrying out a combat mission against ISIS, and that the pilot was martyred.

Early Sunday morning, the Syrian Air Force had carried out concentrated airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in the surroundings of al-Tharda Mountain, al-Orfi and al-Kanamat neighborhoods, and the surroundings of Deir Ezzor, destroying munitions depots and killing scores of terrorists.

Incidentally, the US coalition carried out airstrikes on the Syrian Army near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor on Saturday. 62 people were killed, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“It is highly suspicious that the US chose to conduct this particular air strike at this time,” Russia’s Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said, adding that the strike that killed Syrian soldiers did not look like an honest mistake.

The Australian Prime Minister confirmed Australian aircraft had been involved in the attack and expressed regret at the Syrian Government forces reported to have been killed in the sortie meant to target ISIS.

“We regret the loss of life and injury to any Syrian personnel affected,” said.

He said the attack was discontinued the moment the Russians advised the attack had hit the wrong target.