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Syrian military plane crashes in Islamic State stronghold, say activists Syrian military plane crashes in Islamic State stronghold, say activists
(about 2 hours later)
A Syrian military aircraft has crashed into the de facto capital of Islamic State (Isis), killing at least eight people, as thousands of residents fled to nearby villages in anticipation of expected US airstrikes against the militants, activists said. A Syrian military aircraft has crashed into the de facto capital of Islamic State (Isis), killing at least eight people, as thousands of residents fled to nearby villages in anticipation of expected US air strikes against the militants, activists said.
It was not immediately clear whether the plane that slammed into the north-eastern city of Raqqa was hit by anti-aircraft fire or experienced a technical failure, according to an activist based in the city and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Tuesday.It was not immediately clear whether the plane that slammed into the north-eastern city of Raqqa was hit by anti-aircraft fire or experienced a technical failure, according to an activist based in the city and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Tuesday.
The Raqqa-based activist, who goes by the name Fourat Alwfaa, said eight people were killed in the crash, including members of two families, after the aircraft ploughed into their home. The Observatory said there were casualties, but did not have a concrete figure. The activist, who goes by the name Fourat Alwfaa, said eight people were killed in the crash, including members of two families, after the aircraft ploughed into their home. The observatory said there were casualties but did not have a concrete figure.
Isis controls a proto-state that stretches from northern Syria across much of northern and western Iraq. Raqqa, an ancient city on the Euphrates river with a prewar population of 500,000, serves as the extremists' stronghold in Syria.Isis controls a proto-state that stretches from northern Syria across much of northern and western Iraq. Raqqa, an ancient city on the Euphrates river with a prewar population of 500,000, serves as the extremists' stronghold in Syria.
The US has been conducting air strikes against Isis fighters in Iraq since the militants tried to push toward the northern city of Irbil in Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish region in August. President Barack Obama last week authorised strikes against the group in Syria as well, and his administration is currently trying to cobble together an international coalition to go after the group. The US has been conducting air strikes against Isis fighters in Iraq since the militants tried to push toward the northern city of Irbil in Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish region in August. President Barack Obama last week authorised strikes against the group in Syria as well, and his administration is trying to cobble together an international coalition to go after the group.
As international attention has zeroed in on the extremists, the Syrian government, which largely shied away from bombing the group's territory for more than a year, has begun targeting cities and towns under the militants' control more frequently.As international attention has zeroed in on the extremists, the Syrian government, which largely shied away from bombing the group's territory for more than a year, has begun targeting cities and towns under the militants' control more frequently.
Those government strikes, and perhaps the prospect of an American-led aerial campaign that is all but certain to target Raqqa, have prompted many residents to pack up and move to outlying villages, according to Alwfaa and another resident. Those government strikes, and perhaps the prospect of a US-led aerial campaign that is all but certain to target Raqqa, have prompted many residents to pack up and move to outlying villages, according to Alwfaa and another resident.
"By God, yes, people began fleeing about a week ago," said a woman who requested anonymity, fearing identification by the militant group. She said they fled to nearby villages, away from the militant group's bases. "By God, yes, people began fleeing about a week ago," said a woman who requested anonymity, fearing identification by the militant group. She said they fled to nearby villages, away from Isis bases.
Previous Syrian air strikes have killed dozens of civilians in Raqqa. Alwfaa said residents feared US strikes would cause even more damage.Previous Syrian air strikes have killed dozens of civilians in Raqqa. Alwfaa said residents feared US strikes would cause even more damage.