Israeli Patriot missile shoots down UAV from Syria
Israel fired a $3 million missile at a drone that entered its airspace from the Syrian border.
|
Israeli Patriot interceptor missile over the Golan Heights. Photo:Reuters |
"The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) entered Israeli territory from Syria. The Patriot air defense missile system detected the threat, tracked it and intercepted it at the border,"RTyesterday quoted a statement from the Israeli military (IDF).
On June 24, the Israeli military also launched a $3 million Patriot interceptor missile at a UAV operating in the northern border area. However, the missile missed its target, causing the UAV to turn around and return safely.
Tel Aviv did not reveal who operated the UAV. A pro-Syrian government militia commander said the aircraft was supporting military operations in the Quneitra region of southeastern Syria.
Israel’s Patriot PAC-3 system once missed a target from Syria. In July 2016, a Russian UAV accidentally flew into Israeli airspace. Patriot air defense systems fired three missiles, all of which missed their targets, before the UAV returned home.
Tensions between Tel Aviv and Damascus remain high following a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian forces in Syria. US officials said Israel was behind an airstrike on government positions in eastern Syria early on June 18 that killed 52 people, but Tel Aviv declined to comment on the information.
