Syrian warplane crashes near Damascus

Damascus, July 1 (IANS) A Syrian warplane on Friday crashed in Damascus due to a malfunction, local media reported.

The pilot, who succesfully ejected himself before the plane's crash, has been captured by the rebels, Xinhua news agency reported.

The plane was on a training mission when it crashed over the Jairud town in the Qalamoun region, and the pilot was captured by the rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The rebels' Jaish al-Islam, which controls large swathes of territory in Damascus, reportedly claimed responsibility for downing the plane, further posting an online photo purporting to show the captured pilot.