Aussies cease air missions

– Australia’s military yesterday said it was temporarily halting air missions over Syria following the shooting down of a Syrian jet by US forces.

The decision came amid increasing tension between the US and Russia, which warned it would track coalition aircraft in Syria as potential “targets”, and halted a military hotline with Washington over the incident.

“As a precautionary measure, Australian Defence Force (ADF) strike operations into Syria have temporarily ceased,” a defence spokesperson said in a statement.

No reason was given, but The Australian newspaper said it was implemented as a precaution after the jet’s downing.

“ADF personnel are closely monitoring the air situation in Syria and a decision on the resumption of ADF air operations in Syria will be made in due course,” the spokesperson added.

The United States has moved quickly to contain an escalation of the situation after the jet was downed on Sunday evening when regime forces targeted the USbacked Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters battling IS.

Australia’s Air Task Group consists of 300 personnel, six F/A-18 Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker and Transport plane. – AFP