Israel shot down an Iranian drone sent from Syria and then launched a counterattack where one Israeli fighter jet was lost.
According to Israeli Defense Forces, an Israeli helicopter shot down the Iranian drone after a raid on the Syrian base where the drone was located.
Israel then launched four F-16s that hit 12 Iranian and Syrian targets.
In response, the Syrians launched a “massive” anti-aircraft defense where one of the Israeli jets was shot down.
“This is the most blatant and severe Iranian violation of Israeli sovereignty in the last years,” IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus told reporters Saturday. “That’s why our response is as severe as it is.”
Iran has denied sending a drone into Israel.
“The enemy’s claims that the drone has entered the airspace of occupied Palestine are sheet lies,” Iran forces said in a statement.
However, Israeli officials released a video showing the drone being shot down.
“The Iranian drone fell in our territory and is in our possession,” IDF spokesman Ronen Manelis said.
Iran, meanwhile, says it shot down the F-16.
“The era of Israeli strikes on Syria is over,” an Iranian official said, per the Times of Israel.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/MatthewBrousseau
Publication date: February 12, 2018
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