US-allied Kurdish group shoots down American drone in Syria

A US MQ- 9 Reaper drone was “accidentally” shot down over northern Syria on Monday by the US backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Pentagon official said on Wednesday.

The official added that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident.

“The incident was a result of friendly fire from partner forces conducting operations in the region who misidentified the unmanned aircraft as a threat,” a US defence official told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The drone was operating on a mission as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the campaign against Daesh, the defense official said.

On Monday, the US backed SDF announced that it had shot down a Turkish drone. However, images circulating of the wreckage showed the drone was American.

The US Air Force remotely controls the MQ-9 Reaper drone, capable of surveillance and strike operations, although its mission was unclear at the time it was downed.

“The US Air Force is assessing the actions that led to the incident and will adjust tactics, techniques and procedures to protect US, coalition and partner forces and associated assets” an official said.

About 900 US troops are stationed in Syria, mostly around vital oil and wheat fields.

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