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Isis fighters 'shoot down US-led coalition war plane and capture pilot' Isis fighters 'shoot down US-led coalition war plane and capture pilot'
(about 2 hours later)
Isis fighters shot down a Jordanian warplane over Syria believed to be from the US-led coalition and captured one if its pilots, the Jordanian army has confirmed. Isis fighters shot down a Jordanian warplane over Syria, believed to be from the US-led coalition and captured one if its pilots, the Jordanian army has confirmed.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the aircraft was shot down yesterday near the northern city of Raqqa, Isis's biggest stronghold in Syria. While the cause of the crash was not immediately clear, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the aircraft was shot down yesterday near the northern province of Raqqa, which is almost entirely under the control of Isis.
The Observatory said the warplane was part of the US-led coalition, adding that the captured pilot is an Arab. Relatives of the pilot, believed to be First Lieutenant Muath al-Kasaesbeh, 26, say he was captured by fighters after his plane was downed. Two relatives told Reuters they were notified by the head of the Jordanian air force of his capture.
The Jordanian army said on Wednesday one of its pilots was captured by Isis militants after his plane was downed during coalition air raids. The Jordanian military said in a statement read on state television today that its air force was carrying out a military mission against Isis "hideouts" on Wednesday morning, when "one of our warplanes crashed."
"Jordan holds the group and its supporters responsible for the safety of the pilot and his life," an army statement read on state television said. "The pilot was taken hostage by the Daesh terrorist organisation," it added, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.
The pro-Isis Raqqa Media Centre (RMC) posted pictures of the pilot shortly after he was captured by militants. It said IS and "those who support it" will be responsible for the safety of the pilot. It did not give the cause of the crash or identify the type of aircraft.
Members of the Islamic State group with a captured pilot Relatives of the pilot say he was captured by fighters after his plane was downed. Two relatives told Reuters they were notified by the head of the Jordanian air force of his capture and verified the images of him. The statement went on to describe Isis as a group that "does not want to conceal its terrorist plots" and which commits "many criminal acts from wanton destruction to killing innocent Muslim and non-Muslims in Syria and Iraq".
Another photograph published by the RMC showed the man — wearing only a white shirt and soaking wet — being captured by three gunmen as he was taken out of what appeared to be a lake. The pro-Isis Raqqa Media Centre (RMC) said the plane was downed near the village of Hamra Ghannam, outside Raqqa.
The Raqqa Media Center released this picture of what they say is the pilot's ID AL RAI Chief International Correspondent shared a picture of what he said was the captured pilot meeting the King of Jordan. The organisation posted pictures of the pilot surrounded by more than a dozen militants, some masked, shortly after he was captured. It also released images of the militants posing with pieces of wreckage.
Another image published by the RMC showed the man — wearing only a white shirt and soaking wet — being captured by three gunmen as he was taken out of what appeared to be a lake. Al-Kasaesbeh's relatives verified these images.
The Raqqa Media Center released this picture of what they say is the pilot's ID Members of the Islamic State group with a captured pilot A friend said Al-Kasaesbeh, who is from a prominent Jordanian family, was strongly committed to his mission and felt it was his religious duty to fight extremist groups that are "distorting the true spirit of Islam".
AL RAI Chief International Correspondent shared a picture of what he said was the captured pilot meeting the King of Jordan.
Photo of Jordanian 1st LT Maaz al-Kasabsa captured by #IS today over #Raqqa #Syria with King of #Jordan. pic.twitter.com/SwNA33QXemPhoto of Jordanian 1st LT Maaz al-Kasabsa captured by #IS today over #Raqqa #Syria with King of #Jordan. pic.twitter.com/SwNA33QXem
RMC later posted a photograph of the Jordanian military identity card of the pilot identifying him as Mu'ath Safi Yousef al-Kaseasbeh who was born on May 29, 1988.RMC later posted a photograph of the Jordanian military identity card of the pilot identifying him as Mu'ath Safi Yousef al-Kaseasbeh who was born on May 29, 1988.
The US-led coalition has carried out hundreds of air strikes against Isis positions in Syria since 23 September. The Raqqa Media Center said Isis fighters are searching the area in case there is a second pilot.
The US-led coalition, which includes has carried out hundreds of air strikes against Isis positions in Syria since 23 September,
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have joined in air strikes against the extremist group, while Qatar is providing logistical support.Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have joined in air strikes against the extremist group, while Qatar is providing logistical support.
A staunch US ally, Jordan has also acted as a logistics base for the US-led campaign, and is a hub for intelligence-gathering operations against the jihadists, a western diplomatic source told Reuters.
US officials said no US aircraft or personnel had been involved in the incident and the cause of the crash was unknown.
A Pentagon official in Washington said the body is aware of claims being made over social media that a pilot has been shot down, but they could not confirm the report at this time.
The official said any further questions about the alleged capture should be referred to the government of Jordan. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the reports by name.
Additional reporting by AP and Reuters