The Syrian pilot shot down by Islamist rebels is a squadron commander
DEBKAfile’s military sources reveal that the pilot shot down by Al Qaeda’s Nusra Front south of Aleppo has been identified as Col. Khaled Said, commander of Syrian Air Force’s 677th Squadron. His plane was downed by a surface-to-air missile in the Talat al-Iss highland south of Aleppo and the pilot bailed out. Nusra Front fighters reported his capture. The 677th Squadron consists of Su-22M-2 fighter bombers. Videos on social media show the smoking wreckage of a burnt plane. The Islamist rebels who have overrun this area have come under heavy bombardment by Syrian and Russians planes.
I really prefered your old format to this new one. The old one was way easier to see what was happening and to select or return to an article. Photos on the new format are much better but thats the only deature I like. As a long time follower and prayerful supporter of DEBKA, I respectfully request you going back to the old format.
Shalom