RAAF back bombing Islamic State in Syria

AUSTRALIA has lifted a suspension of its airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria that was imposed amid tensions with Russia after a US fighter jet shot down a Syrian warplane this week.

The Defence Department revealed on Tuesday that the six Australian F/ A-18F Super Hornets based in the United Arab Emirates had been suspended from Syrian operations after Russia warned the US-led coalition not to fly over Syrian army positions west of the Euphrates It was the first time a US warplane had downed a manned aircraft since 1999.

“This was a precautionary measure to allow the coalition to assess the operational risk,” a department statement said.

“The suspension since been lifted.”

The department has not specified how long the suspension lasted.

Defense Minister Marise Payne said Australian “force protection is uppermost in our minds”. has