An incident in Syria that Russian President Vladimir Putin has described as a “tragic chain of circumstances” has put Israel in a tight spot, leading to questions about whether Moscow will continue to give the country free reign over parts of Syria’s airspace.
“Israeli fighter jets attacked Iranian-related targets in Syria. Syrian aerial defenses tried to thwart the Israeli attack and accidentally hit a Russian Air Force plane with a Russian-made missile,” Amos Harel wrote for Haaretz in summary of the Israeli account of events, which, he noted, sounds like the start of a bad joke.
But the consequences of the mishap, which led to deaths of Russian crewmembers of the downed Il-20 plane, could be serious for Israel and might jeopardize its strategic freedom in Syria, Harel argues.
For starters, the incident is an embarrassment for Moscow, which only begrudgingly admitted that Russian-made weapons fired by allies downed the aircraft, leading to the deaths of its crew.
But the Russian defense ministry still blamed Israel for using the Russian Il-20 aircraft “as cover.” That claim is contradicted by the Israeli account that its jets were back in home airspace by the time of the incident.
Russian Defence Ministry: Russian Ilyushin Il-20 plane was downed by Syrian Air Defence missile after Israeli F-16 pilots used it as cover thus setting it up to be targeted by AA defence. Such actions can only be classified as a deliberate provocation https://t.co/qBcqPz2en6 pic.twitter.com/21mTTNXmpd
— Russia in RSA 🇷🇺 (@EmbassyofRussia) September 18, 2018
Putin later toned down the Russian response, suggesting the deaths were the result of a “tragic chain of circumstances.”
What the Russian president’s words mean in practical terms remains to be seen. Harel speculates that Russia might demand earlier warnings before strikes, enforce a no-fly-zone near certain bases, or supply more advanced air defense systems to Assad’s army.
If Moscow wants to demonstrate a hard line this time around, Harel argues, it is capable of disrupting Israel’s freedom of action over Syria.
Peter Paul Lo really? West bank ur dads ?
Peter Paul Lo really? West bank ur dads ?
Kamal Das I don’t think Russia wanted to risk confrontation with Israel & it’s ally. It would a disaster for Putin economically and the comfort of his domestic politics. Unless of course if he’s prepared for an all out war?
Kamal Das I don’t think Russia wanted to risk confrontation with Israel & it’s ally. It would a disaster for Putin economically and the comfort of his domestic politics. Unless of course if he’s prepared for an all out war?
Really?
Suwash Phuyal ….really? I don’t see them invading their neighbors? Except defending themselves.
Ajmal Hussain jews and muslims have a place in the world and preferably in peace with each other…any agression of jews against muslims and vice versa is a terrible event…as to be favourable to the holocaust either shows your ignorance, terrible hatred mind or both….may whoever rules above and all those who perished by the hand of nazism forgive your incredibly nasty words…
Peter Paul Lo Israel is the cancer in the heart of middle east.
Israel contributed to many problems around the world! I hate them
Oh? Really Perry? The Russian plane was down by it’s own ally & missile. Still you want to blame a country that defend itself from a country that made a commitment to wipe out their country from the face of the earth? If you were an Israeli, what would be your feeling?
Whenever one ask against Israel; then said God choose Israel. You Jews are victimised from others .
You have made area A b c for Palestine.you r seem so coward let why not allow side by side two state live side by side. You not servive in mathematic
Point Syria ever in war .yours base destroyed soon when American collapse
or economically rebush.
Ajmal Hussain ,u are a religious bigot it is u and ur religion that will be wipe out of the surface of the earth isreal will dominate that region for eve
Ajmal Hussain you are an idiot, Israel is a God chosen nation and you will do nothing, you dont have to be told it you know history the 1948, 6-day of 1967………
Israel reigns and rules forever.Simply the best!!!!!!
Kamal Das Rasputin cant do nothing..he is a coward like Syria and Iran.Israel lives forever.
Why was the Israel plane in Syria? That was a direct aggression by the zionist state over another independent territory.
Dino Morea lol which makes me wonder are you Muslim or Jew?
El-Bee Sangup and Russia should let Syria be another Iraq, Lybia, Yeman, Afghanistan etc for sheer pleasure of Israel…
It only shows how superiority of Israeli air force.
It is written Israel is under God’s protection…