2015 Syrian Air Force An-26 crash

On 18 January 2015, an Antonov An-26 operated by the Syrian Air Force crashed with no survivors while attempting to land at the besieged Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib Governorate, Syria. The plane was carrying troops as well as military equipment and ammunition.[1] There were 35 people on board,[2] 30 Syrian soldiers[3] and 5 Iranian military experts.[4][5]

2015 Syrian Air Force An-26 crash
An Antonov An-26 similar to the aircraft involved
Accident or shootdown
Date18 January 2015 (2015-01-18)
SummaryUnder investigation [needs update]
SiteAbu al-Duhur military airport, Idlib Governorate, Syria
35°44′1.56″N 37°6′14.08″E / 35.7337667°N 37.1039111°E / 35.7337667; 37.1039111
Aircraft
Aircraft typeAntonov An-26
Operator Syrian Air Force
RegistrationYK-AND
DestinationAbu al-Duhur military airport, Idlib Governorate, Syria
Occupants35
Passengers29
Crew6
Fatalities35
Survivors0

Syrian state media and the SOHR said that the crash was due to heavy fog or "technical issues"[2][6][3] and that the plane hit an electricity pylon.[7] However, Al-Qaeda affiliated group Al-Nusra Front claimed that they shot it down.[2][8][9]

Syrian media provided a list with the names of the 30 Syrian soldiers who were killed. The commander of the Syrian army division, Colonel Hussein Al-Yousif, was among those listed killed.[3] Per SOHR, 13 Syrian officers were among the fatalities.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "At least 35 people killed in Syrian military plane crash". rte.ie. 18 January 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Syria conflict: Army 'plane crash' kills 35 soldiers". BBC News. 2015-01-18. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  3. ^ a b c Leith Fadel. "Idlib: Cargo Jet Crashes Outside of Abu Dhuhour Airbase - 30 Dead". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b sohranas. "11 military leaders from militia of Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guards die over the last 24 hours". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Syrian Air Force plane crash 201 - 37 people died". PlaneCrashes.org. 2015-01-18. Archived from the original on 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  6. ^ "Syrian military plane crash kills 35, al-Qaida claims credit". UPI. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Al Qaeda says downs Syrian cargo plane, army says fog causes crash". defenceweb.co.za. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Al Qaeda says downs Syrian cargo plane, army says fog causes crash". Reuters. 2015-01-18. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  9. ^ "ASN 20150118". Aviation Safety Network. 2015-01-18. Archived from the original on 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2015-03-27.