Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Pentagon late Monday warned the Syrian regime it is prepared to shoot down planes threatening US-led coalition forces in northern Syria, that are fighting the Daesh terror group.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters "We are going to defend our people on the ground, and do what we need to defend them." "It’s not a no-fly zone," Cook said adding, "But the Syrian regime would be wise to avoid areas where coalition forces have been operating." The United States has passed warnings to Syria via Russia, with which the US military has an established line of communication.

Cook said the warning also extended to jets from Russia, which has been bombing in support of Assad since last year."If they threaten US forces, we always have the right to defend our forces," he said.

The United States would protect not only coalition advisers, but also partner forces on the ground, he further added.