Will Russia-Israel ties suffer after downing of Il-20 military plane off Syrian coast?
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.
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.
Related: The Russian-“Israeli” “Crisis”: Climb-Down In Progress?
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.
Related: https://www.rt.com/news/438686-syria-russia-s200-il20/
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.
Source: https://www.rt.com/news/438704-russia-israel-conflict-plane/
Source: https://www.rt.com/news/438704-russia-israel-conflict-plane/
‘You are to blame for downing of Il-20 and death of its crew,’ Russia tells Israel
‘You are to blame for downing of Il-20 and death of its crew,’ Russia tells Israel
Russia has formally complained to Israel about its air raid on
Monday, which led to the downing of a Russian Il-20 plane off the Syrian
coast. Moscow has laid the blame for the crew’s deaths “squarely on the
Israeli side.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu spoke to his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman on the phone about the downing of the Russian Il-20 plane on Monday night. He relayed Moscow’s position on the incident, blaming the Israeli military for setting up the Russian plane to be shot down by Syrian air defenses, which were responding to an Israeli air raid, an official statement from the Russian military said.
Shoigu reiterated that Israel failed to notify Russia of the impending attack in a way that would have given its military an opportunity to move the Il-20 out of harm’s way. Instead, the warning came just one minute before the Israeli F-16 fighter jets launched their attack.
“The blame for the downing of the Russian plane and the deaths of its crew members lies squarely on the Israeli side,” the Minister Shoigu said. “The actions of the Israeli military were not in keeping with the spirit of the Russian-Israeli partnership, so we reserve the right to respond.”
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said the Israeli jets had used the bigger Russian plane as cover during their attack on targets in Syria. The ministry said the Israelis must have known that they were putting the Russian plane at risk, but neither changed their battle plan nor gave a warning in time for the Il-20 to be moved to a safe area.
The Israeli government has yet to publicly comment on the incident.
Source: https://www.rt.com/news/438690-russia-israel-il20-blame/
[Video] Infowars Full Show - Kavanaugh Witch Trials Begin, Gavin McInnes, And More - Sept 17, 2018
SCOTUS nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, is set to refute an accusation of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred when he was in high school in the early 1980s. Kavanaugh’s accuser said she thought Kavanaugh was going to “inadvertently” kill her. The death toll of Hurricane Florence has reached 16 and worse flooding is predicted as multiple rivers are filling past the bursting point. Joining today’s show is Attorney-at-Law Tyler Nixon discussing the left’s assault on the liberty of all Americans.
Source: https://www.real.video/5836109131001
[Video] Trump Orders Declassification of Russia Witch Hunt Docs, Including Comey & McCabe Texts
Trump takes the gloves off by beginning to expose Deep State’s attempt to overthrow 2016 election
Alex Jones breaks down President Trump declassifying documents related to the FBI’s handling of the Russian probe, including the FISA applications against Carter Page and text messages of top FBI leadership including former Director James Comey and former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
Source: https://www.infowars.com/breaking-trump-declassifies-russia-probe-docs-including-comey-mccabe-texts/
Alex Jones breaks down President Trump declassifying documents related to the FBI’s handling of the Russian probe, including the FISA applications against Carter Page and text messages of top FBI leadership including former Director James Comey and former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
Source: https://www.infowars.com/breaking-trump-declassifies-russia-probe-docs-including-comey-mccabe-texts/
BREAKING NEWS - Airstrikes On Government Facilities Reported In Latakia, Tartus, Homs Provinces. Russia Allegedly Employs Own Air Defenses
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.
Source: https://southfront.org/airstrikes-on-government-facilities-reported-in-latakia-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.
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) September 17, 2018
Reports of Syrian Air Defense activity over Baniyas and Latakia.
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) September 17, 2018
Missiles targeted Industrial area of Latakia among other location. Detail unknown. Syrian AD still active.
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) September 17, 2018
First footage of Syrian AD missiles over Latakia.pic.twitter.com/VPmssxqtC4
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) September 17, 2018
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
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) September 17, 2018
Attack over Latakia still ongoing, some of the sounds of AD in use.pic.twitter.com/Rw53j1xfXT
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) September 17, 2018
Source: https://southfront.org/airstrikes-on-government-facilities-reported-in-latakia-homs-provinces-russia-allegedly-employs-own-air-defenses/
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