Downed jet a Mig-21, pilot killed

AMMAN, June 5 (KUNA) -- Syrian opposition gunners have shot down a warplane in Damascus' southern countryside, the Syrian Monitor for Human Rights said on Monday.
The warplane was downed over Tal Dakwa by gunners of the faction, "jaish osoud al-sharkiah." Later, this opposition faction released a videotape showing remains of the downed jet fighter, a Soviet-made Mig-21, and corpse of the pilot.
This group, backed by the United States of America, has recently started operating in Syria's rural regions.
Meanwhile, the monitor said the US-backed Syria Democracy forces would begin the battle for liberating Reqqah in hours to drive militants of the so-called Islamic State (IS) from the province.
US elite troops and aircraft will be involved in the imminent offensive on the IS strongholds in Reqqah.
A military source of the Syrian regime said the government troops took over strategic positions in Salamiyah on outskirts of the central town Hama. The regulars killed scores of IS gunmen.
Official news agency, SANA, said units of the Syrian Army carried out intensive operations against the IS troop concentrations near Hama. Up to 60 militants were killed in the action. (end) tk.rk