Qatar to help determine fate of 3 Iranian pilots: Red Crescent Society

Qatar has agreed to help determine the fate of three Iranian pilots whose whereabouts remain unclear, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported on Monday.

The case dates back to March 2, when two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets went down during attacks on a military base in Qatar. Iran says three pilots were captured alive, while another was killed.

Iranian Red Crescent Society chief Pir Hossein Kolivand said there was evidence suggesting that the three pilots may be in Qatar and asked the Qatar Red Crescent Society to use its channels to obtain information about their status.

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Kolivand said the Qatar Red Crescent Society should seek information about the pilots to help their concerned families, citing the neutral humanitarian role of Red Crescent and Red Cross societies.

Qatar Red Crescent Society officials pledged to assist in following up on the case and obtaining information about the pilots.

The two sides also discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in rescue operations, training and the exchange of expertise.

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