Alwaght- Russian military planes have targeted the al-Nusra Terrorist group-controlled area of Syria’s Idlib province where a Su-25 jet was earlier downed by terrorists, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
The military conducted “a massive precision weapon strike… on areas controlled by the al-Nusra group,” the ministry said in a statement.
Moscow confirmed Saturday that a Russian Su-25 jet crashed in Idlib province, probably shot down by a man-portable air-defense system (MANPAD). The pilot ejected, but was killed by militants on the ground, the ministry said.
"The Russian center for reconciliation of warring sides in Syria alongside the Turkish side, responsible for the Idlib de-escalation zone, are taking steps to retrieve the Russian pilot’s body," the ministry said.
Earlier reports said that Syrian governmental forces were fighting against al-Nusra Front units in the Idlib province.
In accordance with an agreement by Russia, Iran and Turkey - the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire - de-escalation zones were set up in Syria in May 2017. De-escalation zones include the Idlib Province, some parts of its neighboring areas in the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo Provinces north of the city of Homs, Eastern Ghouta, as well as the Daraa and al-Quneitra Provinces in southern Syria.
Russia has been conducting air raids against ISIS and other terrorist groups inside Syria at the Damascus government’s request since September 2015.
On the contrary, the US and its allies back militants fighting to topple the Syrian government. American warplanes have been bombing Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate, which has seriously damaged the country's infrastructure.
Russian forces have been successful in ejecting ISIS terrorist group from the territories it previously occupied in Syria.
