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.
Shridhar Bhagwat
thats true,MOHAMMAD is d no.1 rapist and killer.islam religion are terrorist.
Shridhar Bhagwat
thats true,MOHAMMAD is d no.1 rapist and killer.islam religion are terrorist.
Orok Ben,correct
Orok Ben,correct
Ajmal Hussain ur idiot man,i hate muslim country,ur no.1 terrorist.
Ajmal Hussain ur idiot man,i hate muslim country,ur no.1 terrorist.
Why? Because Israel and Syria are at war for many DECADES now. And its legal to attack enemies in war time. Of all the Muslim nations who declared war on Israel in 1948, 1956, & 1974, only Egypt has declared peace.
Why? Because Israel and Syria are at war for many DECADES now. And its legal to attack enemies in war time. Of all the Muslim nations who declared war on Israel in 1948, 1956, & 1974, only Egypt has declared peace.
You would be clever too. If you had more than 10 fanatical Islamic countries vowing to kill your entire country. Intiendes?
You would be clever too. If you had more than 10 fanatical Islamic countries vowing to kill your entire country. Intiendes?
Waqas Shenwari
Cowards eh? If cowards can beat several Muslim countries while greatly outnumbered by their enemies since 1948, then what do you call their enemies? Less than cowards?
Waqas Shenwari
Cowards eh? If cowards can beat several Muslim countries while greatly outnumbered by their enemies since 1948, then what do you call their enemies? Less than cowards?
Ajmal Hussain
Here speaks a true muslim. And they say Islam is a religion of Peace??? All I hear of muslims are hatered, no wonder few people cares what happens to muslim countries.
Ajmal Hussain
Here speaks a true muslim. And they say Islam is a religion of Peace??? All I hear of muslims are hatered, no wonder few people cares what happens to muslim countries.
Pep Perry
All I heard about the Golan heights is that they had been used to shell Israel since the 60s. Till Israel took that strategic place from Syria. Were it me, I’d do more.
Pep Perry
All I heard about the Golan heights is that they had been used to shell Israel since the 60s. Till Israel took that strategic place from Syria. Were it me, I’d do more.
Keep on fighting in the name of religion and some weird sense of self defence. Ordinary people can go to hell. Pray such fate do not befall you or your loved ones, whatever be the context.
Keep on fighting in the name of religion and some weird sense of self defence. Ordinary people can go to hell. Pray such fate do not befall you or your loved ones, whatever be the context.
Israeli’s always played dirty games with lots of other countries . They are good at genocide , because Israeli’s experienced Holocate
Israeli’s always played dirty games with lots of other countries . They are good at genocide , because Israeli’s experienced Holocate