An Israeli Official: We Have Conducted Attacks on Syria After the Downing of the Russian Plane

A senior Israeli official stated on Monday, November 7, that Israel has conducted attacks on Syria following the downing of a Russian military aircraft in Latakia. The Il-20 military aircraft of the Russian army was shot down on September 26 by a missile from the Russian S-200 system, which is under Syrian defense control, in western Syria, resulting in the death of all 15 crew members. The aircraft was downed while Israel was attacking positions in Syria. Russia accused Israel of 'misleading' them during the downing of the Russian military aircraft in Syrian airspace. According to Reuters, the unnamed senior Israeli official said that Israeli defense forces have conducted attacks in Syria, including after the downing of the Russian military plane. The Russian Defense Ministry has reported that the S-300 system has been transferred to Syria. The official added that coordination with Russia continues as before. This senior Israeli official did not provide further details on the targets hit in Syria. Israeli Channel One also reported that one of these targets was a shipment from Iran for Hezbollah, which included equipment that enhanced the accuracy of missiles and rockets. After the downing of the Russian plane, Israel stated that it would cooperate with Russia to reduce any potential confrontations but would not cease attacks on positions within Syrian territory. However, Reuters noted that since the downing of the Russian aircraft on September 26, there have been no reports of Israeli airstrikes in Syria. Since September 2015, when Russia began its active military presence to support Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, this was the first time one of its military aircraft was downed by Syrian defense during Israeli air operations in Syria. Israel has repeatedly bombed positions in Syria during the seven-year civil war.