US repositioning aircraft over Syria as tensions rise

The US military said on Monday it was re-positioning its aircraft over Syria to ensure the safety of American air crews targeting Islamic State, as tensions escalate following the US downing of a Syrian military jet on Sunday.

"As a result of recent encounters involving pro-Syrian Regime and Russian forces, we have taken prudent measures to re-position aircraft over Syria so as to continue targeting ISIS forces while ensuring the safety of our aircrew given known threats in the battle space," said Lieutenant Colonel Damien Pickart, a spokesman at US Air Forces Central Command.