BEIRUT (Sputnik) — According to earlier reports, the pilot ejected from the plane before it crashed due to a technical failure, but landed on a territory controlled by Jaysh al-Islam.
"The terrorists have committed a heinous crime by killing the pilot…This cowardly action defies all humane values and international rules regarding the treatment of prisoners-of-war…This crime will not be left unpunished," the statement said.
