US military repositioning aircraft over Syria. The downed Syrian plane had dropped bombs near "fighters" of SDF

The US military has said it was repositioning its aircraft over Syria to ensure the safety of American air crews targeting the self-proclaimed Islamic State group.

The announcement comes as tensions escalate following the US downing of a Syrian military jet near Raqqa yesterday.

Iran also launched missiles at IS targets in eastern Syria yesterday -  the first time each state has carried out such actions in the multi-sided conflict.

The US said the downed Syrian plane had dropped bombs near fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters battling to capture Raqqa from IS.

Russia's Defence Ministry responded by suspending cooperation with the US aimed at avoiding air incidents over Syria, where the Russian air force is bombing in support of President Bashar al-Assad's campaigns against rebels and IS.

The Syrian army said the jet was shot down while flying a mission against IS.

The SDF however accused the Syrian government of attacking its positions using planes, artillery and tanks.

"If the regime continues attacking our positions in Raqqa province, we will be forced to retaliate," a SDF spokesman said.

The Syrian government this month marched into Raqqa province from the west but had avoided conflict with the US-backed SDF until the latest incident...
 [rte.ie]
19/6/17
-
Related:

• Pentagon considers US-Russia deconfliction line effective
• Syrian Democratic Forces, government troops cease fighting in al-Raqqa
• Russia halts US aviation cooperation over downing of Syrian jet. Unidentified flying objects west of Euphrates will be considered targets