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Israel shoots down Syrian aircraft that entered its air space Israel shoots down Syrian aircraft that entered its air space
(34 minutes later)
Israel has shot down a Syrian aircraft that entered its air space.Israel has shot down a Syrian aircraft that entered its air space.
Shortly after 7.50am (BST) the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) released a statement saying the aircraft was “intercepted” by the Patriot air defence system.Shortly after 7.50am (BST) the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) released a statement saying the aircraft was “intercepted” by the Patriot air defence system.
It is designed to stop incoming planes and missiles, tracking them with radar and exploding them as they enter Israeli territory.It is designed to stop incoming planes and missiles, tracking them with radar and exploding them as they enter Israeli territory.
The IDF provided no information on where the Syrian plane was intercepted or whether contact was made to ascertain why it was there.The IDF provided no information on where the Syrian plane was intercepted or whether contact was made to ascertain why it was there.
A spokesperson said: “The circumstances of the incident are being reviewed.”A spokesperson said: “The circumstances of the incident are being reviewed.”
It could not be immediately confirmed whether there were any casualties but a photo shared by a journalist on Twitter claimed to show two Syrian pilots parachuting to the ground after ejecting from their plane.It could not be immediately confirmed whether there were any casualties but a photo shared by a journalist on Twitter claimed to show two Syrian pilots parachuting to the ground after ejecting from their plane.
#Syria | 2 Syrian pilots seen after #Israel downed their aircraft earlier near Kanaker pic.twitter.com/2gTLxTrmdj#Syria | 2 Syrian pilots seen after #Israel downed their aircraft earlier near Kanaker pic.twitter.com/2gTLxTrmdj
Israel Radio claimed the aircraft was a drone and was shot down over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where fighting from Syria's civil war has occasionally spilled over.Israel Radio claimed the aircraft was a drone and was shot down over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where fighting from Syria's civil war has occasionally spilled over.
The Golan Heights - along the two countries' border - were annexed by Israel in 1981 and the IDF launched operations in Syrian territory in May 2013, prompting Assad to warn he would "respond to any Israeli aggression next time".The Golan Heights - along the two countries' border - were annexed by Israel in 1981 and the IDF launched operations in Syrian territory in May 2013, prompting Assad to warn he would "respond to any Israeli aggression next time".
But Israeli Army Radio said it may have been a Syrian fighter plane. Israeli Army Radio said it may have been a Syrian fighter plane.
Additional reporting by ReutersAdditional reporting by Reuters