US shoots down Syrian jet for the first time in civil war

A U.S. Navy craft shot down a Syrian warplane in the southern part of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) stronghold in Syria, the U.S. coalition confirmed Sunday.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly came under attack from forces in favor of Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday afternoon in the town of Ja’Din, south of Tabqa, Syria.

In response to the attack on the SDF, which is supported by the U.S., coalition aircraft worked to stop the initial advance into the town, according to a statement from Operation Inherent Resolve. 

“Following the Pro-Syrian forces attack, the coalition contacted its Russian counterparts by telephone via an established ‘de-confliction line’ to de-escalate the situation and stop the firing,” the statement said.

“At 6:43 p.m., a Syrian regime SU-22 dropped bombs near SDF fighters south of Tabqah and, in accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of coalition partnered forces, was immediately shot down by a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet.”

The U.S. military said the strike complied with the “rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces.”

{mosads}The Syrian army issued a statement on state television claiming its pilot is missing.

The “flagrant attack was an attempt to undermine the efforts of the army as the only effective force capable with its allies … in fighting terrorism across its territory,” the army said.

“This comes at a time when the Syrian army and its allies were making clear advances in fighting the Daesh (Islamic State) terrorist group,” the statement continued.

The incident comes the same day as Syrian government ally Iran conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS in Syria. 

BREAKING: US confirms F/A-18E downed Syrian Su-22 near Tabqah, says it “dropped bombs near SDF fighters” – @arawnsley pic.twitter.com/G9FQoewIUw

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) June 18, 2017