An Israeli F-16 fighter jet crashed after Syria responded with anti-aircraft fire to an Israeli operation in its territory. Syria says its military base came under Israeli fire, and it hit multiple aircraft in response.
“Massive Syrian Anti-Air fire, one F16 crashed in Israel, pilots safe,” IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus said on Twitter.
The incident took place after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted an Iranian UAV, which crossed from the territory of Syria into Israel. In response, the Israeli military attacked Iranian positions in Syria. The operation triggered anti-aircraft fire by Syrian forces.
The Israeli “aggression” targeted an army base in the central region of Syria, Sana reported, citing a military official, who also said that Syrian air defenses struck more than one jet. The Israeli military denied that: “They all returned safely, except for one that crashed in Israel,” Conricus said.
IDF has targeted the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the #UAV into Israeli airspace. Massive Syrian Anti-Air fire, one F16 crashed in Israel, pilots safe. #Iran is responsible for this severe violation of Israeli sovereignty. Event ongoing, more to follow.
— Jonathan Conricus (@LTCJonathan) February 10, 2018
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently holding security consultations and approving the necessary actions in real time following the incidents, official Israeli sources told Haaretz.
Images emerged online purporting to show the…