Syria Again Shoots IDF Fighter Jet Missiles, Russia Calls Out Of Patience With Israel

Illustration of an Israeli fighter jet base. (Wikimedia Commons/Amit Agronov/IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - The Syrian anti-aircraft defense system shot down a missile fired from two Israeli Air Force (IDF) fighter jets on Sunday, July 25 local time, Russian media reported.

"From 05:40 to 05:54 a.m., two Israeli Air Force F-16 tactical fighter jets, which were outside Syrian airspace, carried out strikes, from the southwest, with two guided missiles on facilities in Syrian settlements. Seidat Zeinab in the Damascus Governorate," Vadim Kulit, deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposite Parties in Syria, said Sunday, citing The Jerusalem Post Monday, July 26.

This is the third Israeli attempt to carry out an attack on Syrian territory in the past week. Last week, Syria's anti-aircraft defense system managed to down 11 of 12 Israeli fighter jet missiles.

The Syrian military is known to use two weapons of Russian anti-air attack defense systems, namely the Buk-M2E missile system, the Buk-M2 missile, and the Pantsir-S.

Meanwhile, according to the Daily Sabah on July 24, Russia is moving quickly to reduce Israeli airstrikes in Syria by strengthening President Bashar al-Assad's military defense system, claims an Arabic-language newspaper based in London, which was also quoted by Israeli media.

The report by Asharq Al-Awsat cited a "well-informed Russian source" and requested anonymity, claiming Russia had run out of patience with Israel in Syria.

It said Moscow's move was the result of talks between Russia and the United States, which, the source said, gave the impression that 'Washington does not welcome continued Israeli attacks'.

Illustration of the Russian-made Buk-M2E anti-aircraft defense system. (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

The report, also quoted by Israeli newspapers, said this impression left room for Russia to act more freely in support of Assad's forces in Syria, with more sophisticated anti-missile systems and the know-how to make them more capable of shooting down Israeli weaponry.

This claim of limiting Israeli attacks was deemed effective by Arab newspapers, which were not confirmed by outside or independent sources.

Israel has targeted Iranian-linked military targets in the regime-held territory with airstrikes without fully acknowledging the strikes. The Israeli offensive has also been repeatedly criticized by the Syrian regime's ally, Russia.

In January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Israel should provide his country with intelligence (report) on threats such as "Iranian militias", so as to "neutralize" them, criticizing Israeli airstrikes.

"If Israel is really forced to respond to threats to Israel's security coming from Syrian territory, we have told our Israeli counterparts many times, if you see such a threat, please provide us with information," Lavrov said at the time. citing Sputnik.

To note, since the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011, Russia has supported the Assad government and continues to establish a military presence in the country. There are currently 18 Russian military bases and posts in the Hassakeh, Raqqa, Manbij, and Ain al-Arab (Kobani) regions of Aleppo.

In mid-July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of his visit to the Rostvertol helicopter manufacturing plant in Rostov-on-Don said Russia tested more than 320 types of weapons in its operations in Syria. The helicopters manufactured at the factory are also part of their operations in Syria.