Aussies suspend airstrikes in Syria

Thanks to Noble for the link!

via Guardian

Australia has suspended air combat missions over Syria after Russia threatened that it would treat any plane from the US-led coalition flying west of the Euphrates river as a potential target.

Russia said it was responding to US planes shooting down a Syrian air force jet on Sunday. The US said its planes had acted to defend US-backed forces seeking to capture Raqqa, the Islamic State (Isis) stronghold in north-east Syria.

“As a precautionary measure, Australian defence force strike operations into Syria have temporarily ceased,” the Australian Department of Defence said on Tuesday.

Australia has six fighter jets based in the United Arab Emirates that strike targets in Syria and Iraq.

Story here. 

Everyone is a badass in a fight that you can easily win.  When it comes to dealing with an equally matched opponent, most wilt.

This move by the Aussie Defense Minister does not surprise.

Not at all.