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A Russian
soldier stands beside a Russian S-300 long range surface-to-air missile
system in Kubinka, Russia, August 21, 2018. (Photo by Bloomberg)
A senior Israeli official
has admitted that Russia's delivery of S-300 anti-aircraft missile
defense systems to Damascus will pose a serious "challenge" to the
regime.
Tensions have been rising between Moscow and Tel Aviv following the downing of a Russian warplane in Syria this month.
The official, whose name was not released in the Sunday report by the
Times of Israel, said Tel Aviv was working on "different ways" to deal
with Russia's recent move.
“The S-300 is a complex challenge for ... Israel. We are dealing with
the [decision] in different ways, not necessarily by preventing
shipment [of the anti-aircraft systems],” he said.
The official said Israel enjoyed the US support and reserved the right to protect itself, without elaboration.
"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin made a move, but it's a big playing field and he understands that," the official said.
Moscow vowed to bolster Syria’s air defense capabilities by sending
modern S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to the Arab country within
two weeks after the recent accidental downing of a Russian Il-20
reconnaissance aircraft.
Netanyahu told Putin in a phone conversation that Israel "will continue to do what it has to do to defend itself."
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Russia has already
started delivering the S-300 system to Syria as part of efforts to
ensure the safety of Russian forces in the Arab country.
The Russian plane with 15 servicemen on board disappeared from radars
on September 17 as four Israeli F-16 warplanes were attacking state
institutions in Syria’s Latakia Province, which is home to Russia-run
Hmeimim airbase.
Russia’s Defense Ministry held Israel responsible for the incident,
saying the regime’s warplanes “created a dangerous situation” that led
to the downing of the Russian aircraft by Syria’s S-200 missile defense
system.
Israel frequently attacks military targets in Syria in what is
considered as an attempt to prop up militant groups that have been
suffering heavy defeats against Syrian government forces.
The Israeli media is in a total frenzy over the forthcoming transfer to Syria of the Russian anti-aircraft missile system S-300. They recognize that these measures will lead to serious consequences for the Israeli Air Force.
However, as FRN notes, there is a less than even chance that Russia will not make good on the delivery, given its history with this question in the past, combined with patterns it has exhibited in the use of such announcements to win a concession from a third party.
But as the Jerusalem Post states , the appearance of the Syrian military S-300 will make it possible to modernize the air defense of the country profoundly and create a “threat to Israeli aircraft.”
Speaking about the shipments of the antiaircraft missile system, the Ninth Channel published an article with this headline: “In two weeks, Israel is in for a nightmare?”
In turn, the news daily Yediot Aharonot also admits that the deployment of the S-300 in Syria is really bad news for Israel, since it will require the Israeli Air Force “more effort, more planning and more caution when using force in the skies of Syria and Lebanon.”
According to Haaretz , the Russian S-300 in Syrian hands can jeopardize Israel’s activities in the region, so from now on it “will have to think twice before the next attack.”
The decision to supply the S-300 systems to Syria was made against the background of the incident with the crash of the Russian Il-20 plane on September 17. It was shot down by Syrian air defense systems through the fault of Israel, resulting in the death of 15 Russian soldiers.
As Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expects, the S-300 in Syria will help cool the “hotheads” and deter against rash actions that threaten Russian servicemen.
S-300 “Favorit” anti-aircraft missile systems are designed for the defense of large industrial, administrative facilities and military bases. The first multichannel system, which is capable of accompanying each complex to six targets and aiming for them to twelve missiles.
A minute-by-minute account of the Il-20 downing shows Israel's
culpability and either its military bosses' lack of appreciation of
relations with Moscow, or their control of commanding officers, the
Russian defense ministry said.
"We believe that the blame for the Russian Il-20 aircraft tragedy lies entirely with the Israeli Air Force,"
said spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov, before revealing a
detailed account of events leading to the downing of the Russian Il-20
military aircraft on September 17. The plane was shot down by the Syrian
air defense units as Israeli's F-16s effectively used it as a cover
during the attack on its neighbor.
The report featured previously
undisclosed radar data and details of communications between Russian and
Israeli militaries, and concluded that "the military leadership of
Israel either has no appreciation for the level of relations with
Russia, or has no control over individual commands or commanding
officers who understood that their actions would lead to tragedy."
On the evening of
September 17, the Russian Ilyushin IL-20 with 15 crew on board was
circling over the Idlib de-escalation zone on a special reconnaissance
mission, when four Israeli F-16 fighter jets left their country's
airspace and flew over the neutral Mediterranean waters towards the
Syrian coast. The Israeli Air Force gave the Russian side less than a
minute's warning before dropping the precision-guided glide bombs,
leaving virtually no time for any safety maneuvers, Konashenkov said,
calling such actions "a clear violation of the 2015 Russian-Israeli agreements."
Moreover,
the Israeli military failed to provide the location of their jets or
properly specify their targets, claiming they were going to attack
several 'industrial facilities' in northern Syria, close to the Il-20’s
area of operation. The misinformation prompted the Russian Command to
order the recon plane back to the Khmeimim air base. The Israeli jets,
however, instead almost immediately attacked the western Syrian Latakia
province.
"The misleading information provided by the
Israeli officer about the area of strikes did not allow the Russian
Il-20 airplane to move timely to a safe area."
Once
the Syrian air defenses responded to the initial strike, the Israeli
jets switched on radar jamming and pulled back, apparently preparing for
another attack. One of the jets then approached the Syrian coast –and
the Russian plane which at that time was preparing to land– again.
The Israeli pilot must have been well aware of the fact that the Il-20
has a much larger radar cross-section than his F-16, and would become a "preferred target"
for the Syrian air defense units, who use different friend-or-foe
systems with the Russians, Konashenkov said. Thus, for the Syrians, the
reconnaissance plane could appear as a group of Israeli jets.
"The Israeli jets saw the Russian Ilyushin Il-20 and used it as a shield against the anti-aircraft missiles, while they carried on maneuvering in the region," Konashenkov said during the news briefing.
"The actions of the Israeli fighter pilots,
which led to the loss of life of 15 Russian servicemen, either lacked
professionalism or were an act of criminal negligence, to say the least."
Finally,
the Israeli jets carried out their maneuvers in the immediate vicinity
of the Khmeimim air base, which is used both by military and civilian
aircraft, including passenger planes, the ministry's spokesman
emphasized, saying that the reckless actions of the Israeli pilots could
also have posed a threat to any passenger or transport aircraft that
may have happened to be there at that time.
Israel 'crossed the line of civilized relations' with 'ungrateful response'
Israel's
negligent behavior amounts to a flagrant violation of the very spirit
of cooperation between the countries, Konashenkov stated, noting that
Russia has never broken its commitment to the deconfliction agreement –
it has always informed Israel about their missions in advance and has
never used its air defense capabilities against the Israelis, even
though their airstrikes sometimes put the Russian servicemen in danger.
Russia has sent as many as 310 notifications to the Israeli Air Force
Command, while the latter appeared to be reluctant to show the same
level of commitment, notifying only 25 times even though its jets
carried out more than 200 strikes against targets located in Syria over
the past 18 months alone.
"This is an extremely ungrateful
response to all that has been done by the Russian Federation for Israel
and the Israeli people recently," Konashenkov said.
The Russian military supported the Syrian military operation in the Golan Heights to "ensure there were no shelling attacks on Israeli territory" anymore, thus allowing the UN peacekeeping mission to resume patrolling of the contested border between Syria and Israel after "a six-year hiatus."
Russia also managed to secure the withdrawal of all Iran-backed groups from the Golan Heights to a "safe distance for Israel," more than 140 kilometers to the east of Syria, the spokesperson said, adding that this was done at the request of Tel Aviv. "A
total of 1,050 personnel, 24 MLRSs and tactical missiles, as well as
145 pieces of other munitions and military equipment were withdrawn from
the area," Konashenkov told journalists.
The Russian Defense
Ministry had provided assistance in preserving Jewish sacred places and
graves in the city of Aleppo. Putting Russian Special Forces soldiers'
lives in danger, it also organized the search for the remains of some
Israeli servicemen that died during the past conflicts in an area where
the Syrian forces were combating Islamic State (IS, former ISIS)
terrorists at that time.
"In view of the above, the hostile actions
committed by the Israeli Air Force against the Russian Ilyushin Il-20
aircraft cross the line of civilized relations."
While
Israel said that it mourned the deaths of Russian troops, the IDF
statement following the incident shifted all the blame for the incident
solely on Damascus, and its Iranian and Lebanese allies.
Syrian president
Bashar Al-Assad has sent a letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin,
expressing his condolences over the recent Russian Il-20 plane crash in
Syria, local media reported.
Syrian
president Bashar Al-Assad wrote in his letter to Vladimir Putin that
the Russian Il-20 plane crash near Hmeymim air base was a result
of Israeli arrogance, SANA news agency reported.
Syrian
president expressed his condolences over the tragedy and said that he
hoped that the plane crash would not impede Russian and Syrian joint
fight against terrorism.
The Russian Hmeymim airbase in Syria had lost contact with the Il-20
military aircraft late on Monday during the attack of Israeli F-16
aircraft on Syrian targets in the province of Latakia. The Russian
Defense Ministry said later that the Israeli military deliberately
created a dangerous situation by using the Russian aircraft as a shield
against Syrian air defense systems.
Earlier, Israeli military delegation led by Air Force Commander Maj.
Gen. Amikam Norkin will travel to Moscow on September 20
with information about the crash of the aircraft.
ST.PETERSBURG
(Sputnik) - Israel is unlikely to freely use Syrian airspace in the wake
of the crash of a Russian Il-20 military aircraft over the
Mediterranean Sea, Yakov Kedmi, a former high-ranking Israeli
intelligence official, told Sputnik.
"There
was an agreement between Israel and Russia that the actions of Israel
in Syria's airspace would not endanger lives of Russian troops. Israel
breached this commitment… What happens next will depend on the position
of Israel. Most likely, Israel will no longer be able to enjoy the same
freedom in the sky of Syria as it did before the incident," Kedmi said.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) earlier in the day that Israel would
share all information on the incident with Moscow. The IDF expressed
regret over the deaths of the Russian troops and put the blame
on Damascus and Tehran.
"Israel's attack in itself, regardless of the
consequences, was an irresponsible step, because there is not a single
facility on the territory of Syria that might have been used by Iran and
whose destruction would have justified an attack on it, which could
endanger the Russian troops," Kedmi said.
According
to the IDF, the Israeli jets were targeting a facility in Syria which
contained "systems to manufacture accurate and lethal weapons" that
could be sent "on behalf of Iran" to Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
Israel, as well as many other states, considers the movement a terrorist
organization.
The Russian Hmeimim airbase had lost contact with the crew of the Russian Il-20 military aircraft
late on Monday during the attack of four Israeli F-16 aircraft
on Syrian targets in the province of Latakia. The Russian Defense
Ministry said earlier on Tuesday that the Israeli military deliberately
created a dangerous situation by using the Russian aircraft as a shield
against Syrian air defense systems. As a result, the Il-20 jet was
downed by a missile launched by Syria's S-200 air defense system.
Will Russia-Israel ties suffer after downing of Il-20 military plane off Syrian coast?
Moscow and Tel Aviv had long enjoyed fairly good ties despite
the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, but they are now at risk as
Russia blames Israel for the downing its warplane off Syrian coast and
the crew's death.
Although the plane was
technically shot down by a Syrian missile, Russia made it clear who it
blames in the tragedy, saying that Israeli pilots used the Russian Il-20
as a cover.
The Middle East historically remained a place of bitter
rivalries. Tension grew increasingly high after the Arab Spring brought
more havoc to an already complex region, riddled with colliding
interests and clashing ambitious of various actors, large and small.
Nevertheless, Russia and Israel had always managed to keep good
relations.
This year alone President Vladimir Putin met
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three times, and every time
the media didn’t get much details from closed-door discussions. Through
delicate behind-the-scenes diplomacy Moscow maintained a close, working
relations with Israel. The fact that it’s one of US closest allies was
never an issue for Moscow. Russia itself kept developing ties with
Turkey and Iran, Israel’s arch-nemesis, while managing to address
Israel’s concerns too.
For Russia, Israel is not only an important, geopolitical partner with alleged
nuclear capabilities, situated in the heart of the world’s most
turbulent region. It’s also home of about 1.3 million expats from
post-Soviet countries. This large diaspora plays a significant role for
Russia when it tailors its approach to Tel Aviv.
Even the war in Syria, where Israel - in hopes of curbing Iranian influence - supported and armed controversial anti-government militants, didn’t result in a serious crisis in relations with Russia.
Over the course of the conflict, the IDF had conducted numerous airstrikes against targets in Syria and even launched missiles
at Syrian jets. Each attack was strongly condemned by both Syria and
Russia who had been pointing out that any military incursion into the
country without the government’s and UN’s approval is illegal.
But
the raid on Latakia and the collateral damage in a form of a downed
Russian military plane can inflict grave damage on the relations between
the states. Israel stands firmly against the strengthening of the
Turkish or Iranian grip in the region, so its recent actions may be an
attempt to remind everyone that the Syrian crisis has other stakeholders
involved. Especially, since just the day before the tragic incident
with the Russia plane Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep
Tayyp Erdogan reached a settlement on the situation around Idlib, the last militant stronghold beyond the control of the Syrian government.
Airstrikes On Government Facilities Reported In Latakia, Tartus, Homs Provinces. Russia Allegedly Employs Own Air Defenses
UPDATE 1: According to the Syrian state media, the SADF intercepted a number of missiles coming from the sea.
***
Late
on September 17, airstrikes targeting government facitlities were
reported in the Syrian provinces of Latakia, Tartus and Homs.
Particularly, the strikes allegedly hit an industrial area in the city
of Latakia.
The Syrian Air Defense Forces (SADF) are responding to
the attack. Some sources report that air defense systems deployed at
Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base were also employed.
According to Syrian sources, the airstrikes were reportedly carried out by the Israeli military. The situation is developing.
Syria State TV showing footage of HQ of the Technical Industries Agency in #Lattakia in flames after being hit by unknown missiles.pic.twitter.com/rHDCvB9CKi
Missile attack targets several locations in Syrian coastal city of Latakia - state media
Syrian air defenses have engaged missiles targeting the area of
Latakia, a city in the coastal province that is the home of Russia’s
Khmeimim Air Base.
According to the state
SANA news agency, the attack targeted the Technical Industries Agency
headquarters in Latakia, owned by the Syrian military. Reports from the
area refer to “powerful explosions” heard in the city.
Breaking: Syrian air defenses activated in Latakia and Baniyas (Tartous). Reports of Israeli airstrikes
There are no reports of casualties at this time.
Syrian media report that a “number of missiles”
have been shot down. Multiple reports from the area speak of an attack
by missiles launched from drones. It is unclear whether only the Syrian
air defense batteries have been engaged, or if the Russian air defenses
around Khmeimim are taking part as well.
Multiple local reports
are accusing Israel of launching the strikes, but there has been no
independent confirmation of that. Another possibility suggested by local
media is that the drone attack was launched by jihadists in Idlib.
#Syria state TV shows the HQs of the Technical Industries Agency in #Lattakia in flames after being targeted by missiles in “an aggression from unknown source” pic.twitter.com/UsOlspySbn
The attack comes just hours after Russia and Turkey negotiated a
partial demilitarization of the Idlib province, which is the last
remaining stronghold of anti-government militants, including the
Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (also known as the Jabhat
Al-Nusra).
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