Islamic State learning to fly: report
- 10 years ago
They've proven themselves on the ground, seizing parts of Syria and Iraq -- now Islamic State militants are taking the fight to the sky.
Iraqi pilots are reportedly teaching IS militants to fly warplanes like these --- captured from al-Jarrah military base in northwest Syria.
Locals say they've seen three different jets taking off from here on a daily basis, according to a new report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
If true, it's a game changer. A ground battle can be bloody. Air strikes, like those carried out by Syria and now U.S. forces, allow attackers to deliver maximum damage with limited risk. A steep learning curve and high cost have made air power a government's greatest advantage over the guerilla group.
The U.S military however says it cannot confirm the reports that Islamic State has started test flights.
Iraqi pilots are reportedly teaching IS militants to fly warplanes like these --- captured from al-Jarrah military base in northwest Syria.
Locals say they've seen three different jets taking off from here on a daily basis, according to a new report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
If true, it's a game changer. A ground battle can be bloody. Air strikes, like those carried out by Syria and now U.S. forces, allow attackers to deliver maximum damage with limited risk. A steep learning curve and high cost have made air power a government's greatest advantage over the guerilla group.
The U.S military however says it cannot confirm the reports that Islamic State has started test flights.