(Xinhuanet) -- A Syrian fighter pilot who flew his MiG-21 warplane to Jordan has been granted political asylum. This is the first defection with a military aircraft during 15-month conflict.The Syrian Ministry of Defense said the breakaway fighter pilot is a traitor to his homeland and his military honor. The ministry said that communication with the Jordanian government was underway to retreive the aircraft. It added that penalties would be imposed on the defected pilot in accordance with the law.
The pilot, identified as Colonel Hassan Hamma-deh, allegedly removed his Syrian air force tag and kneeled on the tarmac in prayer after landing his plane at King Hussein Air Base in Ma-fraq, Jordan. Jordan already has taken in 125-thousand Syrian refugees, including hundreds of army and police defectors, and Syria is seeking their return.