Israel Shoots Downs Syrian Warplane After It Enters Israeli Airspace

Two patriot missiles were fired at a Russian-built Syrian Sukhoi fighter plane that invaded Israeli airspace shortly after 1:30PM Tuesday, 12 Menachem Av.

Sirens sounded in northern Israeli areas including the Golan Heights, Jordan Valley and the Galil. The IDF Spokesman Unit later issued a message to the media, confirming the Syrian fighter plane infiltrated Israeli airspace, and two patriot missiles were fired at it when it was about two kilometers into Israel territory, downing the fighter craft.

The IDF message adds, “Since the morning hours, there has been an escalation in the nature of the internal fighting in Syria, as well as increasing Syrian Air Force activity. The IDF Is maintaining alert status and is prepared, and will continue to act against breaches of the 1974 disengagement agreements”.

According to the IDF, the Syrian fighter was a Sukhoi 22 or Sukhoi 24. It took off from the T4 Airport and flew quickly towards the Golan. After the jet penetrated 2 Kilometers into Israeli airspace, two Patriot missiles were launched and shot down the jet which crashed in Syria.

A report from the official Syrian state news agency SANA confirms the plane was downed by Israel.

This marks the second time a Syrian plane was shot down by Israel, with the last occurrence taking place in September 2014, when patriot missile was fired, downing the jet in the Golan Heights.

Tensions between Israel and Syria continue to run high, as Israel carefully monitors the ongoing civil war in that country as well as troop movements along its border.

Source: (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)