Jordanian Aircraft Downed by ISIS Above Ar-Raqqa

On Wednesday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) shot down an Anti-ISIS Coalition aircraft flying over the Syrian province of Ar-Raqqa, capturing the downed pilot at a nearby lake. The downedd pilot was identified as 1st Lieutenant Mou’az Safi Yousif Al-Kassassabeh of the Royal Jordanian Air Force; this was confirmed by the Jordanian Central Command after pictures of Lt. Al-Kassassabeh were circulating on many social media networks.

The Jordanian pilot’s aircraft was downed after ISIS militants fired an anti-aircraft missile, striking one of the plane’s wings. Lt. Al-Kassassabeh was believed to have ejected from his aircraft seconds before it crashed in northern Syria. Besides a minor injury to his face, the pilot seemed to be of good health – his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Lt. Al-Kassassabeh’s father has issued a plea to the ISIS militants who captured his son in Ar-Raqqa to spare his son: “May Allah instill mercy into your hearts to release my son.” The Jordanian Air Force’s Central Command stated that they are holding ISIS responsible for the health and safety of the downed pilot. The downing of this aircraft marks the 1st time an Anti-ISIS Coalition aircraft has been shot down by the enemy combatants from ISIS.