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Islamic State 'shoots down coalition plane in Syria' Jordan confirms pilot captured by Islamic State
(about 1 hour later)
Islamic State (IS) militants have shot down a US-led coalition warplane over northern Syria, activists say. The Jordanian military has confirmed that one of its planes has crashed over northern Syria and that its pilot has been captured by Islamic State (IS).
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the aircraft, believed to be from an Arab state, went down near Raqqa. The jihadist group earlier said it had shot down the jet with a heat-seeking missile near the city of Raqqa.
The UK-based group said the fate of the pilot was unknown, but IS supporters published photos they said showed a Jordanian airman surrounded by gunmen. It published photographs showing the pilot, whom it identified as Flight Lieutenant Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh.
If confirmed, this would be the first coalition warplane shot down since air strikes on IS began in September. This is the first US-led coalition aircraft to be lost on IS territory since air strikes began in September.
The authorities in Jordan, one of four Arab countries whose aircraft have been flying sorties over Syria, has so far not commented on the incident. Jordan is one of four Arab countries whose aircraft have been flying sorties over Syria.
'Heat-seeking missile''Heat-seeking missile'
The Syrian Observatory said it had received reports from its network of activists that IS members had taken "an Arab pilot prisoner after shooting his plane down with an anti-aircraft missile near the city of Raqqa". On Wednesday morning, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said it had received reports from its network of activists that IS members had taken "an Arab pilot prisoner after shooting his plane down with an anti-aircraft missile near the city of Raqqa".
Earlier, the pro-IS Raqqa Media Center had posted photos on its Facebook page purportedly showing armed men holding the captured pilot, with a caption identifying him as Royal Jordanian Air Force flight lieutenant and giving his name. The pro-IS Raqqa Media Center also posted a photo on its Facebook page showing armed men taking the pilot out of what appeared to be a lake or river.
The man appeared able to stand but was bleeding from the mouth. He was wearing only a T-shirt and underwear. The man appeared able to stand but was bleeding from the mouth. He was wearing only a white T-shirt and was soaking wet.
It was not possible to verify the images. A caption identified him as Lt Kasasbeh and later a photo appearing to show his military ID card was published.
The jihadist group claimed to have shot down the coalition warplane with a heat-seeking missile. Lt Kasasbeh's father, Youssef al-Kasasbeh, confirmed his son's plane had crashed in Syria in an interview with the Jordanian newspaper, Saraya.
Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence correspondent
We do not know yet if the Jordanian aircraft suffered an engine failure or other technical problem, or if it was actually downed by IS air defences.
IS has been assumed to have a limited air defence capability - based not least on the sorts of shoulder-fired missiles that are rife in the region.
IS fighters have downed Iraqi and Syrian government aircraft and helicopters in the past. We also know that IS has overrun a number of Syrian air defence bases.
It is not clear if IS has personnel capable of operating any of these more sophisticated Soviet or Russian-supplied systems.
The US-led coalition permanently monitors the nature of the air defence threat and if the Jordanian aircraft was shot down then any potential lessons will be fed into the ongoing air campaign.
Youssef al-Kasasbeh said he found out the news after the head of the RJAF informed another of his sons.
Lt Kasasbeh has been a pilot in the RJAF for six years and had only visited their home last Sunday, he said.
He appealed to IS leaders: "May Allah plant mercy in your hearts and may you release my son."
The air forces of Jordan, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have carried out hundreds of air strikes on IS in Syria in the past three months.The air forces of Jordan, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have carried out hundreds of air strikes on IS in Syria in the past three months.
Many of the targets have been in and around Raqqa, which is the de facto capital of the "caliphate" whose creation IS proclaimed in June.Many of the targets have been in and around Raqqa, which is the de facto capital of the "caliphate" whose creation IS proclaimed in June.
Syrian government warplanes also regularly bomb Raqqa and the surrounding province. On Tuesday, an air strike killed more than 20 people, according to the Syrian Observatory.Syrian government warplanes also regularly bomb Raqqa and the surrounding province. On Tuesday, an air strike killed more than 20 people, according to the Syrian Observatory.
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and UK have joined the US in conducting air strikes on IS in neighbouring Iraq.Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and UK have joined the US in conducting air strikes on IS in neighbouring Iraq.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says that assuming the reports are true - and they have not been denied - they will raise concern among the coalition nations about the level of armament available to the militants and the defensive measures deployed by coalition jets. The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the latest news will raise concern among the coalition nations about the level of armament available to the militants and the defensive measures deployed by coalition jets.
It may further diminish the appetite of Arab nations to take part in such operation, our correspondent adds.It may further diminish the appetite of Arab nations to take part in such operation, our correspondent adds.