February 2018 Israel–Syria incident

Last updated

February 2018 Israel–Syria incident
Part of Israeli–Syrian border incidents and the Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war
Date10 February 2018
Location
Syria, Israel
Result
  • Per IAF, Iranian drone shot down after entering Israeli airspace
  • Israel responds by striking the Tiyas Military Airbase in Syria
  • Downing of Israeli F-16 jet by the Syrian Air Defense
  • Per IAF, Israeli fighter jets attack additional sites, bringing the total to 12 being hit[ citation needed ]
Belligerents
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Flag of Syria.svg  Syria
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran [1]
Units involved
Israel Air Force Flag.svg  Israeli Air Force Flag of the Syrian Arab Air Force.svg  Syrian Arab Air Force
Air Force Ensign of Syria.svg Syrian Air Defense Force
Strength
8 F-16 jets
1 AH-64 helicopter		 1 Saegheh (UAV)
Unknown number of air defense systems and SAM batteries including S-200, SA-17, SA-6 and SA-3 [2]
Casualties and losses
2 pilots wounded,
1 F-16 shot down [3] 		6–10 soldiers/militiamen killed, [4] [5]
1 drone shot down,
12 sites hit (8 Syrian & 4 Iranian; per Israel) [6]

On 10 February 2018, an Israeli F-16I was shot down by the Syrian air defenses after conducting an air raid on Iran-backed positions inside Syrian territory. The aircraft was part of a larger Israeli aerial dispatch which Israel said was sent in response to detection of an Iranian drone spying on Israel. [7] [8] [9] [10] Two hours after the downing of the jet, Israel began attacking additional targets inside Syria, including air defense sites [11] and Iranian targets near Damascus. [12] Israel stated it destroyed the Syrian military's main command and control bunker. [13] Iran dismissed the Israeli allegation of Iranian drone incursion into Israeli territory as "ridiculous". [14]

Contents

It was the first time Israel and Iran confronted each other directly since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the beginning of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict. [15] Israel stated that it was "the biggest and most significant attack the air force has conducted against Syrian air defenses since the 1982 Lebanon War". Hezbollah said that the downing of the F-16 was the beginning of "a new strategic phase", [16] as it was the first occasion on which Israel lost a jet to an enemy combatant since 1982. [17]

Timeline

At 4:30 am on 10 February 2018, an Israeli AH-64 Apache helicopter shot down an Iranian-produced copy of the RQ-170 drone (Saegheh) near the northern town of Beit Shean. [18] The Iranian drone was sighted taking off from a base in Syria, flew along the Jordanian border, and was intercepted 90 seconds after crossing the Israeli border. [3] [19] [20] [21] Israeli journalist Ron Ben-Yishai said that the Iranian drone was sent to test if the Israeli air defense systems could detect a stealth drone – a test which had failed. [22]

In response to the sighting of the drone crossing the Israeli border, 8 F-16Is of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck Tiyas Military Airbase from which the Israeli military said the drone had launched, [3] very likely with standoff weapons. [23] This base was attacked by the IAF in the past (March 2017), despite warnings from Russia due to its proximity to Russian military personnel. [22] The attack prompted a response from Syrian Air Defense systems, which after firing on the Israeli jets, shot down an Israeli F-16I fighter jet over northern Israel. [24] Two weeks later, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that the F-16I was hit by a S-200 surface-to-air missile (SAM) with the crew failing to take proper evasive actions. The same statement reported that 13 SAMs had been fired at the 8 F-16Is which took part in the initial attack, with another 14 SAMs fired during the subsequent attack flights, resulting in a total of 27 missiles fired on the attacking jets. [25]

The F-16I was flying at high altitude to verify the results of the strike on Syrian targets, which made it easy to track by Syrian air defenses. [26]

Aftermath

Sirens were heard in the early morning in northern Israel and flights at Tel Aviv's international airport were briefly halted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations following the incident, and Israel conducted several attacks against the Syrian Aerial Defense System and targets which Israel says are Iranian targets in Syria in response to the downing of the F-16. [27] The Wall Street Journal cited Syrian media reporting that 25 people were killed by the Israel airstrikes. [28]

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said "They dispatched an Iranian drone from Syrian territory into Israel. ... Israel holds Iran and its Syrian hosts responsible." [29]

The Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister, Ayman Sussan said that they "have full confidence the aggressor will be greatly surprised, because it thought this war—this war of attrition Syria has been exposed to for years—had made it incapable of confronting attacks." He said Israel will meet new surprises should they attack Syrian again. [30]

In Syria the events were viewed as a game-changer given that it was the first time the Syrian government made good on promises to respond to violation of its territory. The government supporters celebrated the downing of the Israeli jet and hailed the Syrian army and President Bashar Assad. [31]

Benjamin Netanyahu presents part of the downed Iranian drone at the Munich Security Conference. Benjamin Netanyahu Drone 2018 (cropped).jpg
Benjamin Netanyahu presents part of the downed Iranian drone at the Munich Security Conference.

At the Munich Security Conference, Netanyahu showed an object that he said was part of the downed drone. [32]

Strategic significance

This incident is extremely unusual, as it is the first time Israel and Iran confronted each other directly since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the beginning of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict. [15] Israel stated that it was "the biggest and most significant attack the air force has conducted against Syrian air defenses since the 1982 Lebanon War". Hezbollah said that the downing of the F-16 is the beginning of "a new strategic phase", [16] as it was the first occasion on which Israel lost a jet to an enemy combatant, since 1982. [17]

Hezbollah suggested that the incident put an end to Israel's long-standing air superiority. [7]

An Israeli army assessment stated that the twelve retaliatory air strikes destroyed nearly half of Syria's aerial defense systems. [33] [34] A day earlier, the Israeli military put the number of destroyed aerial defense batteries at three. [35]

On 14 February, Haaretz reported that the Israeli strikes only ended after an afternoon phone call between Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. [36]

Reactions

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israeli Air Force</span> Aerial service branch of the Israel Defense Forces

The Israeli Air Force operates as the aerial and space warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. As of April 2022, Aluf Tomer Bar has been serving as the Air Force commander.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

The relations between Iran and Israel are divided into four major phases: the ambivalent period from 1947 to 1953, the friendly period during the era of the Pahlavi dynasty from 1953 to 1979, the worsening period following the Iranian Revolution from 1979 to 1990, and the ongoing period of open hostility since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. In 1947, Iran was among 13 countries that voted against the United Nations Partition Plan for the British Mandate of Palestine. Two years later, Iran also voted against Israel's admission to the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrian Air Defence Force</span> Air defence branch of the Syrian military

The Syrian Air Defence Force, officially the Syrian Arab Air Defence Force is an independent command within the Syrian Armed Forces. It is responsible for protecting the Syrian airspace against any hostile air attacks. The SyADF is one of the most powerful and combat-tested Air Defence forces in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Israeli Air Force</span>

The History of the Israel Air Force begins in May 1948, shortly after the formation of the State of Israel. Following Israel's declaration of independence on May 14, its pre-state national institutions transformed into the agencies of a state, and on May 26, 1948, the Israeli Air Force was formed. Beginning with a small collection of light aircraft, the force soon transformed into a comprehensive fighting force. It has since participated in several wars and numerous engagements, becoming what has been described as "The mightiest air force in the Middle East".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike</span>

The January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike was an aerial attack in the Rif Dimashq Governorate of Syria, which targeted a convoy alleged to be carrying weapons from Syria to the Lebanese Shi'a militia Hezbollah. The convoy was attacked on 31 January 2013. According to several media sources, Israeli forces allegedly conducted the strike; however, Israel has not officially responded to the allegations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Israel proxy conflict</span> Ongoing conflict in Western Asia

The Iran–Israel proxy conflict, also known as the Iran–Israel proxy war or Iran–Israel Cold War, is an ongoing proxy conflict between Iran and Israel. In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict, Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah. In the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas. Israel has supported Iranian rebels, such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran, conducted airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria and assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2018 Israeli forces directly attacked Iranian forces in Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian civil war</span> Incidents at the Israel–Syria ceasefire line since 2011

Several incidents have taken place on the Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line during the Syrian Civil War, straining the relations between the countries. The incidents are considered a spillover of the Quneitra Governorate clashes since 2012 and later incidents between Syrian Army and the rebels, ongoing on the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan and the Golan Neutral Zone and the Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian Civil War. Through the incidents, which began in late 2012, as of mid-2014, one Israeli civilian was killed and at least 4 soldiers wounded; on the Syrian-controlled side, it is estimated that at least ten soldiers were killed, as well as two unidentified militants, who were identified near Ein Zivan on Golan Heights.

Israel's official position on the Syrian Civil War has been strict neutrality. However, Israel has become involved politically and militarily to prevent the growing influence and entrenchment of Iranian forces and its proxies throughout Syria. Israel's military activity, officially called Operation Chess, has primarily been limited to missile and air strikes targeting Iranian facilities in Syria as well as those of its proxies, especially Hezbollah. These attacks were not officially acknowledged before 2017. Israel has also carried out air strikes in Syria to disrupt weapons shipments to Hezbollah. By August 2022, the UK investigative non-profit Airwars estimated that 17-45 civilians were killed and another 42-101 civilians were wounded by Israeli airstrikes in Syria since 2013. Syrian reports place these figures much lower than other foreign actors in the conflict. Israel has also provided humanitarian aid to victims of the civil war from 2013 to September 2018, an effort that was ramped up after June 2016 with the launch of Operation Good Neighbour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">March 2017 Israel–Syria incident</span> 2017 incident between Israel and Syria

The March 2017 Israel–Syria incident took place on 17 March 2017, when Israeli Air Force struck a target in Syria. In response the Syrian Army fired several S-200 missiles at Israeli jets above Golan Heights. Israel reported that one Syrian missile had been shot down by an Arrow 2 missile, while none of its aircraft had been damaged. Israel stated it was targeting weapon shipments headed toward anti-Israeli forces, specifically Hezbollah, in Lebanon, while the Syrian Army claimed that a military site near Palmyra had been struck.

The May 2018 Israel–Iran clashes were a series of short military confrontations between Israeli and Iranian forces in Syria. On 10 May 2018 the Israeli military stated that Iranian forces in Syria launched 20 rockets against Israeli army positions on Western Golan Heights. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the attack occurred after Baath, a town in the demilitarised zone, was bombarded by Israeli forces. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) some missiles were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system, while some fell short in Syrian territory.

The Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war refers to the Iranian–Israeli standoff in and around Syria during the Syrian conflict. With increasing Iranian involvement in Syria from 2011 onwards, the conflict shifted from a proxy war into a direct confrontation by early 2018.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from May to August 2019. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

The strikes were conducted by the Israeli Air Force late at night on 25 August 2019.

The 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq began as unidentified drone or aircraft bombings of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq starting on 19 July 2019. The strikes targeted Iranian proxy groups, based in Iraq, as well as IRGC operatives.

On 29 December 2019, the United States conducted airstrikes against Kata'ib Hezbollah's weapons depots and command centers in Iraq and Syria, reportedly killing at least 25 militiamen and wounding 55 more. The U.S. Department of Defense said the operation was in retaliation for repeated attacks on Iraqi military bases hosting Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) coalition forces, particularly the 27 December 2019 attack on a Kirkuk airbase that left an American civilian contractor dead. Kata'ib Hezbollah, an extremist Shi'ite militia funded by Iran, denied any responsibility for the attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Iran–Israel conflict</span> Military conflict between Iran and Israel

In 2024, the Iran–Israel proxy conflict escalated to a series of direct confrontations between the two countries. On 1 April, Israel bombed an Iranian consulate complex in Damascus, Syria, killing multiple senior Iranian officials. In response, Iran and its Axis of Resistance allies seized the Israeli-linked ship MSC Aries and launched strikes inside Israel on 13 April. Israel then carried out retaliatory strikes in Iran and Syria on 19 April.

This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 2 January 2024, with the Assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, until 31 March 2024, one day prior to the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

This timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict covers the period from 1 April 2024, when Israel struck the Iranian consulate in Damascus, to 26 July 2024, one day before the Majdal Shams attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran</span>

On 26 October 2024, Israel launched three waves of strikes against 20 locations in Iran and other locations in Iraq, and Syria, codenamed Operation Days of Repentance by Israel. The attack marked the first time since the 1980s that Iran has faced a sustained assault from a foreign adversary. Israel said the strikes were launched in response to the Iranian strikes against Israel earlier that month.

References

  1. ↑ "Iranian drone we shot down was based on captured US drone". CNN. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Pilot was right to eject from damaged fighter jet, air force chief says". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Lubell, Maayan; Barrington, Lisa (10 February 2018). "Israel launches heavy Syria strikes after F-16 crashes". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  4. ↑ "The Latest: Netanyahu: Strikes severe blows to Syria, Iran". Associated Press. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  5. ↑ "What led to the intense confrontation between Syria and Israel this past weekend?". Al Masdar News. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  6. ↑ Israel says its airstrikes took out half of Syria's air defenses Archived 12 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine , Los Angeles Times, Feb 11, 2018. Accessed Feb 12, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Lubell, Maayan; Barrington, Lisa (11 February 2018). "Israeli jet shot down after bombing Iranian site in Syria". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Ahronheim, Anna (9 April 2018). "Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria, IAF F-16 shot down". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "Israeli jet downed by Syrian fire – army". BBC News. 10 February 2018. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  10. ↑ Kubovich, Yaniv; Shpigel, Noa; Khoury, Jack (10 February 2018). "Israel Downs Iranian Drone, Strikes Syria; Israeli F-16 Shot Down, Pilots Safe". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  11. ↑ Conricus, Jonathan. "Here's a quick summary of today's events, from the #Iranian UAV to our large-scale strike against the #Syrian air-defense. The IDF will stand guard against any further attacks.pic.twitter.com/ntoHRiv1Z6".
  12. ↑ Holmes, Oliver (10 February 2018). "Israel launches 'large-scale' attack in Syria after fighter jet crashes". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  13. ↑ "Minister: Iran will need 'time to digest' how Israel hit covert military sites". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  14. 1 2 Khoury, Jack (11 February 2018). "Hezbollah: Downing of Israeli F-16 Marks 'Start of New Strategic Phase'" . Haaretz. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  15. 1 2 Pfeffer, Anshel (13 February 2018). "After Years of Covert Proxy Wars, Iran Shifts to Direct Contact With Israel". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "The Latest: Hezbollah says Syria reply to Israel 'new phase'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  17. 1 2 Kubovich, Yaniv (11 February 2018). "Israel Army: Drone Was Allowed to Cross Into Israel to Prove Iranian Aggression". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  18. ↑ Lee, Ian; Tarabay, Jamie; Liebermann, Oren (12 February 2018). "Israel: Iranian drone we shot down was based on captured US drone". CNN. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  19. ↑ IDF reveals UAV launched from Iran-operated Syrian base Archived 12 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine , YNET, 10 Feb 2018
  20. ↑ FROM THE EUPHRATES TO BEIT SHE'AN: THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC'S DANGEROUS GAME Archived 12 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine , Jerusalem Post, 12 Feb 2018
  21. ↑ Israel Air Force says seized Iranian drone is a knockoff of US Sentinel, Defense News, 12 Feb 2018
  22. 1 2 Ron Ben-Yishai "Analysis: In order to prevent escalation, Israel should lower its profile". Ynet. i24 News. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  23. ↑ "Syrian downing of F-16I begs question: Why didn't Israel deploy F-35s?". 13 February 2018.
  24. ↑ "Netanyahu says Israel undeterred after Syria shoots down F-16". Reuters. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  25. ↑ Zitun, Yoav (25 February 2018). "Investigation finds pilots of downed F-16 failed to defend themselves". YNET. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  26. ↑ Tarnopolsky, Noga (12 February 2018). "Israel says its airstrikes took out half of Syria's air defenses". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  27. ↑ Kershner, Isabel; Barnard, Anne; Schmitt, Eric (10 February 2018). "Israel launches heavy Syria strikes after F-16 crashes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  28. ↑ Jones, Rory (11 February 2018). "Tension Rises Between Israel and Iran After Syria Clash". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  29. ↑ "Israel warns Iran after strikes in Syria". BBC News. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "Damascus warns Israel of 'more surprises' in Syria". Reuters. 13 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  31. ↑ Kershner, Isabel; Barnard, Anne; Schmitt, Eric (10 February 2018). "Israel Strikes Iran in Syria and Loses a Jet". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  32. ↑ All RFE/RL sites (18 February 2018). "Israel, Iran Trade Barbs At Munich Security Conference". Rferl.org. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  33. ↑ "Israeli PM: Airstrikes dealt 'severe blows' to Iran, Syria". CNN. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  34. ↑ "Israel says its airstrikes took out half of Syria's air defenses". Los Angeles Times. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  35. ↑ Andrew Carey, Laura Smith-Spark and Nicole Chavez (10 February 2018). "Israeli PM: Airstrikes dealt 'severe blows' to Iran, Syria". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  36. ↑ "Putin's Phone Call With Netanyahu Put End to Israeli Strikes in Syria". Haaretz. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  37. ↑ "Netanyahu: Israel will not allow Iranian entrenchment in Syria". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  38. ↑ السورية, وزارة الدفاع في الجمهورية العربية. "وسائط دفاعنا الجوي تتصدى لعدوان إسرائيلي جديد". وزارة الدفاع في الجمهورية العربية السورية. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  39. ↑ "U.S. supports Israel's right to defend itself: Pentagon". Reuters. 10 February 2018. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  40. ↑ "EU warns of spiraling violence after Israel-Syria border incident". The Jerusalem Post.
  41. ↑ "Lebanon asks UN Security Council to pressure Israel after 'airspace violation'". Arab News. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  42. ↑ "Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Syrian Arab Republic". United Nations Secretary-General. 10 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.

34°31′21″N37°37′47″E / 34.5225°N 37.62972°E / 34.5225; 37.62972

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.