IS shoots down Syrian regime warplane and captures pilot

A Syrian pilot whose warplane was shot down east of Damascus, has been captured by the Islamic State group, the militant organisation has claimed.

IS-linked Amaq news gave the pilot's name as Azzam Eid, from Hama. It claimed that IS militants shot down his plane over the eastern Damascus countryside and found him alive after he parachuted down safely, but landed into the hands of the jihadi fighters.

A video posted by Amaq showed the charred remains of a plane, in a desert area.

Several apparent IS fighters in military-style fatigues circle around the wreckage, and highlighted the regime flag on one of the wings.

Syrian state news has not commented on the incident.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has also confirmed news of the captured pilot, although know images or video of the airman have been released.

IS fighters have shot down several Syrian regime warplanes in recent weeks, including over the Dmeir military airport near Damascus and in the southern province of Sweida.

But the pilots were able to land in regime-held zones on both occasions.

In December 2014, IS shot down a Jordanian warplane taking part of air strikes in Syria on behalf of the US-led coalition against the jihadi group.

Moaz al-Kassasbeh was burned alive by the militants and posted video footage of his death online.

Islamic State group's presence in Damascus is limited, and most of its territories are in the east and north of the country.

The group has launched an offensive on the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus, massacring a number of civilians.

However, other rebel groups and the regime have largely kept IS in check in Damascus, and stemmed any expansion deeper into the capital.

Agencies contributed to this story.