IS captures pilot after shooting down Syrian plane

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Islamic State jihadist group on Friday, April 22 captured a Syrian pilot alive after shooting down his plane east of Damascus, the IS-affiliated Amaq news agency said, according to AFP.

Amaq gave the pilot's name as Azzam Eid, from Hama. It said IS fighters had shot down his plane and found him alive after he parachuted down to the crash site.

A video posted by Amaq showed the charred remains of a plane, some parts still on fire, lying on a vast desert plain. Several apparent IS fighters in military-style fatigues circle around the wreckage, pointing to the two-starred Syrian government flag clearly visible on one of the wings, AP says.

Syrian state news agency SANA had no immediate news on the incident.

IS fighters have shot down several Syrian government warplanes in recent weeks, including over the Dmeir military airport near Damascus and in the southern province of Sweida.

But the pilots were able to land in regime-held zones on both occasions.