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Israel shoots down Syrian warplane over Golan Heights Israel shoots down Syrian warplane over Golan Heights
(about 1 hour later)
JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said it shot down a Syrian warplane Tuesday after the aircraft strayed more than half-mile into airspace that Israel controls over the Golan Heights. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said it shot down a Syrian warplane Tuesday after the aircraft strayed more than half a mile into airspace that Israel controls over the Golan Heights.
Military experts in Israel said it was the first time in nearly 40 years that Israel has downed a Syrian jet, although a Syrian drone that entered Israeli-occupied territory last month was also shot down. Military experts in Israel said it was the first time in nearly 40 years that Israel has downed a Syrian jet, although a Syrian drone that entered Israeli-occupied territory last month also was shot down.
The incident also reflects how the Golan — captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war — is increasingly drawn into the tensions in Syria, including the more than three-year-old civil war and the growing reach of Islamist militants. The incident reflects how the Golan — captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war — is increasingly drawn into the tensions in Syria, including the more than three-year-old civil war and the growing reach of Islamist militants.
The Israeli army fired a U.S.-made Patriot surface-to-air missile at the Syrian jet, a Soviet-made Sukhoi-24. According to the Israeli military, the two Syrian pilots ejected and safely landed inside Syrian territory. Local media reported that the aircraft crashed near the Syrian town of Quneitra, which is now controlled by al-Qaeda-linked rebels. The Israeli army fired a U.S.-made Patriot surface-to-air missile at the Syrian jet, a Soviet-made Sukhoi-24. According to the Israeli military, the two Syrian pilots ejected and landed safely inside Syrian territory. Local news media reported that the aircraft crashed near the Syrian town of Quneitra, which is now controlled by al-Qaeda-linked rebels.
The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted a Syrian military official as saying that Israel, by shooting down a Syrian jet , was showing its support for terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State and Jubhat al-Nusra. The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted a Syrian military official as saying that by shooting down a Syrian jet, Israel was showing its support for terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra.
Since the civil war started in Syria more than three years ago, fighting on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights has regularly spilled over onto the Israeli side. The United Nations has monitored a demilitarized buffer zone in the area for 40 years.Since the civil war started in Syria more than three years ago, fighting on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights has regularly spilled over onto the Israeli side. The United Nations has monitored a demilitarized buffer zone in the area for 40 years.
Mortar, tank and artillery fire has reached Israel several times, injuring Israeli soldiers who patrol the border road and killing an Israeli teenager who was traveling there with his father this summer.Mortar, tank and artillery fire has reached Israel several times, injuring Israeli soldiers who patrol the border road and killing an Israeli teenager who was traveling there with his father this summer.
The Israeli military said it was investigating the circumstances of Tuesday’s incident. But it did not appear that the Syrian aircraft’s mission was aimed at Israel. Instead it appeared to be targeting anti-regime rebel forces that last month captured strategic points along the frontier between Israel and Syria. The Israeli military said it is investigating Tuesday’s incident. But it did not appear that the Syrian aircraft’s mission was aimed at Israel. Instead, it appeared to be targeting anti-regime rebel forces that last month captured strategic points along the frontier between Israel and Syria.
In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said the Syrian aircraft had crossed into Israeli airspace and reiterated that Israel would not tolerate any threats to its security.In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said the Syrian aircraft had crossed into Israeli airspace and reiterated that Israel would not tolerate any threats to its security.
“We’ve clarified this in the past, and we’re emphasizing it again: We won’t allow anybody, whether it’s a state or a terrorist organization, to threaten our security and violate our sovereignty,” he said.“We’ve clarified this in the past, and we’re emphasizing it again: We won’t allow anybody, whether it’s a state or a terrorist organization, to threaten our security and violate our sovereignty,” he said.
Ram Shmueli, a brigadier general in the Israeli reserves and former head of Israel’s air force intelligence, said Israel is currently facing a major threat on all of its northern borders. Ram Shmueli, a brigadier general in the Israeli reserves and a former head of Israel’s air force intelligence, said Israel is facing a major threat on all of its northern borders.
“We are very much on alert to all types of drones, jets and airplanes, even civilian airlines like those used during 9/11,” said Shmueli, a fighter pilot for more than 35 years. “Although we are not part of this war, we have to keep the borders safe.”“We are very much on alert to all types of drones, jets and airplanes, even civilian airlines like those used during 9/11,” said Shmueli, a fighter pilot for more than 35 years. “Although we are not part of this war, we have to keep the borders safe.”