Syrian Jet Shot Down & Pilot Captured By Al-Qaeda Affiliated Rebels

A Syrian jet has reportedly been shot down by a surface-to-air missile in Aleppo Province.

Islamist rebels shot down the warplane on Tuesday in an area south of the city of Aleppo where insurgents are battling the Syrian army and allied militias.

The pilot ejected but was captured by the Al-Qaeda affiliated rebel group.

RT reports:

The Syrian Army has confirmed that an Su-22 jet was downed near Aleppo, an army representative told RIA Novosti.

The pilot of the downed plane has been taken by Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front to one of its bases, according to a rebel source cited by Reuters.

Video has surfaced on social media reportedly showing the moment of the pilot’s capture.

Photos supposedly showing the pilot have also appeared, the comments suggesting he is alive.

الطيار الحي .. في ضيافة الشباب .. pic.twitter.com/HyTAWP4EJn

— موسى العمر (@MousaAlomar) April 5, 2016

The ceasefire in Syria was introduced on February 27. It doesn’t apply to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), Al-Nusra Front and other organizations designated by the UN’s Security Council as ‘terrorists’. The cessation of hostilities deal has been struck by the Russian ceasefire center at the Khmeimim Airbase in Latakia province, and the US coordination center in Amman in Jordan.