Iraq Reportedly Frees Downed Syrian Flier
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AMMAN, Jordan — Iraq has released the pilot of a Syrian MIG-21 fighter plane shot down over Iraqi territory on July 28, a Jordanian source said Thursday.
The source said that the pilot, whose name and rank he did not disclose, arrived in Amman from Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday and will be returned to Damascus on an Air France flight.
After the plane was shot down, Iraq complained to the Arab League about what it called continued Syrian violations of its airspace but said it was willing to hand back the pilot.
Syria described Iraq’s action as unjustified and demanded an explanation.
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