The U.S. confirmed Tuesday that a U.S.-led coalition aircraft shot down an Iranian made drone in southern Syria, near the border with Jordan and Iraq, a day after Russia halted communication channels upon Coalition's downing of a regime aircraft and declared that it will treat U.S.-led coalition's aircraft west of the Euphrates River as targets.
A statement released by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said: "a pro-regime Shaheed-129 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle was shot down by a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle at approximately 12:30 a.m. after it displayed hostile intent and advanced on Coalition forces."
"The Coalition forces were manning an established combat outpost to the northeast of At Tanf where they are training and advising partner ground forces in the fight against Daesh. This is the same location where another pro-regime UAV dropped munitions near Coalition forces before it was shot down, June 8."
The statement said that the armed UAV was shot down after it advanced on the Coalition position despite being intercepted by the F-15E.
"The Coalition has made it clear to all parties publically and through the de-confliction line with Russian forces that the demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces toward Coalition and partner forces in Syria conducting legitimate counter-Daesh operations will not be tolerated," it added.
The statement noted that the the Coalition will not allow the aircraft of the regime or its allies "to threaten or approach in close proximity to Coalition and partnered forces," while referring to the latest spat with Russia.
"The Coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat Daesh in Syria poses globally. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat," it said.
