Iran has formally demanded that Qatar release three Iranian Su-24 pilots, who Tehran claims have been held for nearly six months after their aircraft crashed during hostilities. General Mohammad Bagherzadeh, a representative of Iran's Missing Persons Search Committee, sent a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today, identifying the pilots as Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian. Bagherzadeh urged the ICRC to intervene for their release, stressing that the pilots have not been allowed to contact their families or Iranian officials since their capture. The Qatari government has not commented on the information.

The incident stems from 2/3, when two Iranian Su-24 attack aircraft took off from Shahid Doran airbase in Shiraz. Their mission was in response to a US-Israel attack operation, targeting Al Udeid airbase and Ras Laffan, a critical natural gas processing facility and pillar of Qatar's economy. CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that the Iranian Su-24 squadron was detected when it was about two minutes' flight time from its targets. One source stated the squadron was carrying "bombs and guided munitions," visible to the naked eye near Al Udeid airbase.

Qatar issued a warning via radio communication, but the Iranian aircraft did not respond. According to a source, they then descended to an altitude of about 24 meters to avoid detection by air defense radar. "Due to time constraints and available evidence, the Iranian Su-24 squadron was classified as a hostile target," the source added. "Qatar then deployed fighter jets, and a heavy F-15 fighter engaged the two Iranian attack aircraft before shooting them down."

An Iranian Su-24MK squadron flying over Mehrabad Airport in 2009. *Airliners*.

Tehran, however, asserted that the Su-24s had bypassed enemy surveillance networks to bomb Al Udeid airbase, causing extensive damage. The Iranian military stated, "On their return journey, the two attack aircraft were hit by air defense systems in the Persian Gulf. Since then, we have been working to determine the fate of the pilots."

Debris believed to be from a downed Iranian attack aircraft, pictured in April. *Al Jazeera*.

Iranian officials announced on 29/7 that the body of General Majid Kazemi, one of the four pilots on the two Su-24 attack aircraft, would be repatriated that day after his identity was confirmed through DNA testing and extensive examination. The fate of the remaining 3 pilots was unclear at that time.

By Hong Hanh (According to Fars News, AFP)