This morning, Syrian anti-aircraft systems fired missiles at two Israeli air force jets that were not in Syrian airspace. The Israeli planes were on a routine reconnaissance mission. The Syrian battery, part of the Assad forces, shot missiles from a Russian SA-5 installation located about 50 miles east of Damascus. The Israeli planes were over 75 miles from the missile battery when the Syrians fired. This was unusual, since the Syrians have only fired on Israeli planes once in the last year.
After the unusual start, the matter moved on to the usual finish. The Syrian missiles missed the Israeli planes. Syria hasn't hit an Israeli plane in decades. The Israeli Air Force then fired its own missiles back towards the SA-5 battery used by the Syrians. The Israelis destroyed the Syrian missile installation. After being beaten by the Israelis, the Syrians falsely announced that they had destroyed one of the Israeli planes and damaged the other. Then the Syrian regime announced that there would be dire consequences for the Israelis as a result of the attack which destroyed the Syrian air defense battery. So far, no consequences have appeared.
One other thing is new, however, The Israeli Defense Minister announced that if the Syrians repeat their firing on Israeli planes, especially those which are not even in Syrian airspace, Israel would destroy the Syrian air defense system.
We shall have to wait and see what happens. My prediction is that the Syrians will stop talking and do nothing more. They don't want to lose their entire air defense system.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Minister arrived in Israel this evening for a visit. Even though Russia is a big backer of the Syrian regime, it seems to have no problem with Israel defending itself when the Syrians start firing missiles at Israeli planes.
After the unusual start, the matter moved on to the usual finish. The Syrian missiles missed the Israeli planes. Syria hasn't hit an Israeli plane in decades. The Israeli Air Force then fired its own missiles back towards the SA-5 battery used by the Syrians. The Israelis destroyed the Syrian missile installation. After being beaten by the Israelis, the Syrians falsely announced that they had destroyed one of the Israeli planes and damaged the other. Then the Syrian regime announced that there would be dire consequences for the Israelis as a result of the attack which destroyed the Syrian air defense battery. So far, no consequences have appeared.
One other thing is new, however, The Israeli Defense Minister announced that if the Syrians repeat their firing on Israeli planes, especially those which are not even in Syrian airspace, Israel would destroy the Syrian air defense system.
We shall have to wait and see what happens. My prediction is that the Syrians will stop talking and do nothing more. They don't want to lose their entire air defense system.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Minister arrived in Israel this evening for a visit. Even though Russia is a big backer of the Syrian regime, it seems to have no problem with Israel defending itself when the Syrians start firing missiles at Israeli planes.
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