Russian troops in Syria at least twice opened fire on Israeli military aircraft, Reuters reported citing Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. When and where exactly the incident occurred, was not specified. Official agencies have not yet commented on this information.
The best-selling Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reports that Israeli military aircraft at least two times came under fire from Russian troops in Syria. Reuters reports that the publication does not specify either specific dates of attacks, nor the places where they occurred. Also not reported, whether received Israeli aircraft any damage.
Yedioth Ahronoth reports that the question about this incident was raised in March at the meeting of the presidents of Russia and Israel, Vladimir Putin and Reuven Rivlin in Moscow, which Mr. Putin, according to the newspaper, said that he heard about the attacks for the first time. In addition Yedioth Ahronoth connects yesterday’s visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-including this incident.
Official confirmation of the information about the attacks on Israeli aircraft by the Russian side no. In the Israeli military departments, the press service of Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as at the Russian Embassy in Israel declined to comment.
Reuters, citing an Israeli Channel 10 reports that last week, Russian military aircraft approached Israeli aircraft from the Syrian coast of the Mediterranean sea, however, no effects from this incident.
Yesterday, 21 April, Vladimir Putin met in Moscow with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. One of the main topics of conversation was the enhanced coordination among countries in the field of security. “I came here with the main purpose to strengthen coordination between us security to prevent different kinds of errors, misunderstandings and incidents,” said Mr Netanyahu to Mr Putin. The sides also discussed the Golan heights, the status of which is disputed by Israel and Syria, and the supply of weapons to Syrian groups.
In early April, Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on Syrian territory.
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“We act, when action is necessary, including and here, abroad, dozens of airstrikes were intended to prevent Hezbollah to obtain access to weapons, changes the course of the game,” said the Prime Minister.
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This was the first public recognition of the fact that the specific air operations of Israel in Syria, but Netanyahu did not specify what strikes Israel struck in Syria, and did not disclose the duration of these operations.
