Australia halts Syria airstrikes amid US-Russia tension

By Recep Sakar

MELBOURNE, Australia (AA) - Australia announced a temporary suspension of its air operations in Syria on Tuesday, following the downing of a Syrian bomber by a U.S. jet.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said operations had been “temporarily ceased” as a “precautionary measure” but would be resumed in “due course”.

Air operations in Iraq, where Australia has also been involved in the anti-Daesh coalition, would continue, the ministry added.

On Sunday, a U.S. F-18 Super Hornet shot down a Syrian government SU-22 after it dropped bombs near troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are currently moving towards Raqqah, Daesh’s Syrian stronghold.

The U.S. backs the SDF and American special forces soldiers often accompany SDF troops as advisers and trainers.

The downing of an aircraft belonging to its ally led Russia to threaten to cut channels with the U.S. designed to prevent their air forces inadvertently targeting one another.

“As a precautionary measure, Australian Defense Force [ADF] strike operations into Syria have temporarily ceased,” the Defense Ministry statement said.

“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.”

It is the first time any activity by Russian or Syrian government forces have seriously affected the coalition against Daesh.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Australia has recently focused its air power on the battle for Mosul in Iraq and conducted no airstrikes in Syria between mid-April and mid-June.