LOC21:00
18:00 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompoe said Tuesday that the US expresses "sorrow for the death of the aircrew members of the Russian plane that was downed by Syrian regime anti-aircraft fire."
In a statement, Pompeo said "yesterday's unfortunate incident reminds us of the need to find permanent, peaceful, and political resolutions to the many overlapping conflicts in the region and the danger of tragic miscalculation in Syria's crowded theater of operations."
"It underlines the urgent need to resolve the Syrian conflict in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2254 and to end Iran's provocative transit of dangerous weapon systems through Syria, which are a threat to the region," he stressed.
It was reported that communication was lost with the crew of a military reconnaissance aircraft in Syria on Monday as four Israeli F-16 jets were launching an attack on Syria's Latakia province.
The IL-20 aircraft, carrying 14 onboard, was on its way to the Hmeimim Air Base located in Latakia. (end)
si.sd