US-led coalition says downed Assad regime jet in Syria’s Tabqah
The U.S.-led coalition said in a statement late Sunday that it downed a Syrian warplane in Tabqah, in order to protect Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters, the majority of which are YPG terrorists.
“At approximately 4:30 p.m. Syria time, June 18, Pro-Syrian regime forces attacked the Syrian
A Syrian warplane (Reuters Photo)
Democratic Forces-held town of Ja’Din, South of Tabqah, wounding a number of SDF fighters and driving the SDF from the town. Coalition aircraft conducted a show of force and stopped the initial pro-regime advance toward the SDF-controlled town,” the coalition said in the statement.
“Following the Pro-Syrian forces attack, the Coalition contacted its Russian counterparts by telephone,” the Coalition added, using an ‘established de-confliction line’ to de-escalate the situation and stop the firing.
“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 Coalition’s mission is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat,” the coalition said, using an alternate acronym for Daesh terrorist group.
“The Coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally. The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces toward Coalition and partner forces in Syria conducting legitimate counter-ISIS operations will not be tolerated. The Coalition calls on all parties to focus their efforts on the defeat of ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to regional and worldwide peace and security.”
Source:.dailysabah.com