The RAAF has halted air operations over Syria amid rising tensions with Russia, after the United States shot down a Syrian regime fighter jet.
Defence said in a statement that operations had ceased temporarily as a "precautionary measure" and a decision on resuming air strikes would be made "in due course". Operations in Iraq will continue.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:06
RAAF ceases Syria operations
RAAF ceases Syria operations
The Australian airforce have halted operations in Syria after a US plane shot down a Syrian fighter jet, drawing rebuke from Russia.
Up Next
Rescue too expensive for drowning children
- Video duration
- 01:08
- Video duration
- 01:08
Rescue too expensive for drowning children
Rescue too expensive for drowning children
Grief and anger at the funeral for 17 people, including 13 children from a village church group in the Solomon Islands who drowned after a rescue mission was delayed due to 'lack of funds'.
Up Next
Black bear kills teen athlete
- Video duration
- 01:21
- Video duration
- 01:21
Black bear kills teen athlete
Black bear kills teen athlete
Sixteen-year-old runner, fatally mauled by a black bear during a mountain race in Alaska, was being chased by the animal in a rare predatory attack.
Up Next
US shoots down Syrian army jet
- Video duration
- 01:00
- Video duration
- 01:00
US shoots down Syrian army jet
US shoots down Syrian army jet
Washington says its fighter plane was acting in self-defence after a Syrian army dropped bombs, but Damascus says it was on a mission against Islamic State militants.
Up Next
'Hero' imam protects suspected terrorist
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
'Hero' imam protects suspected terrorist
'Hero' imam protects suspected terrorist
Darren Osborne could owe his life to Finsbury Park imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who stepped in to protect him after he allegedly drove his van into a group of Muslim worshippers.
Up Next
US student dies after release from North Korea
- Video duration
- 01:18
- Video duration
- 01:18
US student dies after release from North ...
US student dies after release from North Korea
Otto Warmbier, the American student who was released from North Korea in a coma after being imprisoned for 17 months, has died in a Cincinnati hospital.
Up Next
Businesses push for soft Brexit
- Video duration
- 01:47
- Video duration
- 01:47
Businesses push for soft Brexit
Businesses push for soft Brexit
As Brexit talks begin, pressure from business groups is mounting for a deal that won't damage the economy.
RAAF ceases Syria operations
The Australian airforce have halted operations in Syria after a US plane shot down a Syrian fighter jet, drawing rebuke from Russia.
The move follows Russia's declaration that it may view US planes flying in its own area of operations as targets. Tensions have risen rapidly since the US shot down a Syrian regime jet on Sunday near al-Raqqa, the heartland of the so-called Islamic State. The Syrian fighter had been bombing too close to US-backed fighters.
That triggered the bellicose response from Russia, which supports the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
"As a precautionary measure, Australian Defence Force strike operations into Syria have temporarily ceased," Defence said in a statement.
"ADF force protection is regularly reviewed in response to a range of potential threats. 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.
"ADF operations in Iraq will continue as part of the coalition."
The development is highly significant as it is the first time Russian and Syrian activities have seriously impinged on the Australian and coalition campaign against the so-called Islamic State.
After the US Navy plane shot down the Syrian fighter on Sunday, Russia's defence ministry said it would cut off the "deconfliction" communication channel with the US, which stops the two countries' air forces inadvertently crossing paths.
Australia, the US and other partners have been carrying out air strikes and supporting local ground forces in their fight to destroy the militant group across both Iraq and Syria.
While Australia has carried out some strikes in Syria, it has lately been focussed overwhelmingly on Iraq, in particular around the city of Mosul, the Islamic State's crumbling capital in that country. It carried out no strikes in Syria between mid-April and mid-June according to the fortnightly summaries published by the ADF.
But the pause means that if crucial targets were identified in Syria, the coalition commanders would now be constrained by Australia's inability to carry out those strikes.
40 comments
New User? Sign up