A Syrian anti-aircraft battery 50 kilometers east of the capital of Damascus was attacked by the Israeli air force.
The anti-aircraft battery disabled in this attack had, according to Israeli intelligence, been the site of a confrontation in March with the Syrians.
The Israeli air force alerted Russian officials prior to the attack so as to avoid possible confrontation with Moscow, which has been in Syria at the behest of the Syrian government for several years fighting against various rebel and extremist groups.
Israel goes ahead with plans to drill for oil in Syria's Golan Heights despite warnings it violates int'l law #BDS https://t.co/mf7B1FKBJJ
— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) October 13, 2017
Israel claims that the anti-aircraft battery had struck first against Israeli jets flying over Lebanon on a reconnaissance mission.
Israeli jets have routinely bombed positions near the Israeli-Syrian border during the latter’s gruesome 5-year long war. These attacks are usually to target Hezbollah leaders in Syria.
No planes were damaged from the Syria-launched strike, but Israeli responded to the “provocation” by “incapacitating” the battery position.
Syrian Army uncovers Israeli-made weapons in captured #ISIS storage facility – video https://t.co/AZNL0Ty4Ep #Homs #Israel #Syria
— Al-Masdar News (@TheArabSource) October 17, 2017
“We know according to our intelligence it was a battery controlled by the Syrian regime and we hold the Syrian regime responsible for the fire,” Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus said.
The Israeli army has indicated that they are ready for a possible retaliation by the Syrians.
Damascus has not responded to this development, though previous standoffs between the countries near the Golan Heights region have drawn scorn from Syrian officials.
(teleSUR, PC, Social Media)
