The Pentagon on Thursday denied claims from a pro-ISIS media outlet that the group had downed a US combat jet in Syria. The Amaq news agency, a main outlet for pro-ISIS propaganda, claimed Thursday morning that the group downed a USAF A-10 near Hasakah, Syria. Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook immediately denied the claim, saying all US aircraft had been accounted for. This isn’t the first time ISIS has claimed it had shot down a US plane. In July, Amaq said ISIS downed another US jet and killed its crew, prompting US Central Command to immediately deny that it happened.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…