Israel launched air raids in Syria yesterday after one of its fighter jets crashed while under Syrian anti-aircraft fire.
An Israeli spokesman stated its aircraft had destroyed 12 military sites, including four allegedly occupied by Iranian forces.
The raids came after an Israeli F-16 was brought down as it returned to Israel on Saturday morning.
Israel launched air raids in Syria yesterday after one of its fighter jets crashed (above) while under Syrian anti-aircraft fire. An Israeli spokesman stated its aircraft had destroyed 12 military sites, including four allegedly occupied by Iranian forces
Investigators were seen picking through the remains of the downed F-16 fighter aircraft
The remains of an unidentified rocket that fell by a house in the town of Hasbaya, south Lebanon, near the Lebanese-Israeli-Syrian borders, as Israel conducted raids
Israel's military stated the attacks were in retaliation for the violation of its airspace by an Iranian drone. Pictured is Shahed-129 drone on display at a rally commemorating the 37th anniversary of the Islamic revolution
Both aircrew managed to eject and landed in Israel. One was badly injured.
Syrian media stated its air defences had struck the jet.
It is believed to be the first time Israel has lost an aircraft in the conflict.
Israel had earlier accused Iran of flying a drone into Israeli airspace from Syria – sparking the entire exchange – a claim which Iran denied.
The aircraft was an F-16, of the type pictured, that was taking part in strikes against a dozen targets in Syria (File picture)
The raids came after an Israeli F-16 (pictured) was brought down as it returned to Israel on Saturday morning
The Israeli crashed in the northern Israeli kibbutz of Harduf
Saturday’s violence was one of the most severe incidents involving Israel, Iran and Syria during Syria’s seven-year-old civil war.
The militant Islamic group Hezbollah stated the downing of the jet marked the ‘start of a new strategic phase’.
Last night, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: ‘Israel will defend itself against any aggression and any attempt to violate its sovereignty.’