Australia halts Syria air strikes after Russia warning

International Desk: Australia's military said it was temporarily halting air missions over Syria, following the shooting down of a Syrian jet by US forces.

The decision came amid increasing tension between the US and Russia, which warned it would track coalition aircraft in Syria as potential "targets" and halted a military hotline with Washington over the incident.

"As a precautionary measure, Australian Defence Force (ADF) strike operations into Syria have temporarily ceased," Australia's Department of Defence said in a statement.

"ADF operations in Iraq will continue as part of the coalition."

Russia made clear it was changing its military posture in response to the US downing of a Syrian military jet on Sunday, which, according to Damascus, is the first such incident since the start of the conflict in 2011.

"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," Australia's Department of Defence said.

Al Jazeera's Andrew Thomas, reporting from the Australian city of Cairns, said Australia's decision signals that it may believe there is a threat.

"Symbolically this is very important because Australia is a key partner in the US-led coalition operating over Syria and Iraq and for it to withdraw its aircraft, even temporarily, is a sign that they feel there is a threat from Russian aircraft and the Syrians," Thomas said.

"In the short term they're going to take stock and decide whether to resume operations over Syria or not."

Meanwhile, the US has moved quickly to contain an escalation of the situation, with a top general saying the country would work to relaunch a "deconfliction" hotline established in 2015.

Agencies


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