WhatsappIsrael shot two patriot missiles at a Syrian fighter jet that infiltrated about 1 mile into Israeli airspace today. The Syrian fighter jet fell in Syria, but there are still no reports of what happened to the Syrian pilot. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to this very serious infraction of the Syrian military.
Our air defense systems identified a Syrian Air Force jet that took off from the T-4 Syrian Air Force base and penetrated Israeli airspace. This is a gross violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement with Syria. pic.twitter.com/nvugZpNQGf
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 24, 2018
Israel Shoots Patriot Missiles at the Syrian fighter jet
#Israel army 🇮🇱fired 2 Patriot missiles, shot down an #Assad regime Sukhoi fighter jet after penetrating 2 kilometers of Israeli airspace in #Syria occupied #Golan pic.twitter.com/9hlKYVEQTF
— Hill news (@vkknkhjh) July 24, 2018
Serious Infraction
Israel and Syria last fought against each other in a war 45 years ago. Since the ceasefire of that war, the Israeli-Syrian border has remained Israel’s quietest. No Syrian fighter jet has crossed into Israeli airspace since that war.
Some reports say that the Syrian fighter jet was targeting Syrian rebels in Syria and not Israel. Regardless, Israel, as any country, will never allow an enemy fighter jet to illegally penetrate her airspace. Especially following other recent infractions from Syria into Israel’s airspace.
The Syrian plane took off from the T-4 Airbase in Syria and then flew towards Israel at a high speed.
The IDF “issued warnings and messages through different channels, in various languages, numerous times over the day to avoid any misunderstandings or any violations of Israeli airspace. We have continued to deliver messages through various channels, including through the UN, UNDOF, and we will not tolerate any violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. We hold the Syrian Regime accountable for any such violations coming from the Syrian side,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, Head of the International and Social Media Branch.
Not the First Time
This is not the first time that Israeli airspace has been infiltrated from Syria, even though it is the first time that it has been done by a fighter jet.
Back on July 13th, a Syrian UAV infiltrated Israeli airspace and was shot down by a Patriot missile.
And back on February 10th, the IDF intercepted an Iranian UAV launched from Syria. Then too the IDF responded with a fierce attack on the Syrian Air Force base targeting Iranian military targets. While the IDF struck these targets, the Syrian Air Force shot several missiles and hit an Israeli Air Force F-16, severely injuring the pilot.
The IDF is on high alert and will continue to fulfill its mission of defending Israeli civilians and sovereignty, and will operate against the violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.
