Israel hits Iranian targets
JERUSALEM — Israel struck a dozen Syrian and Iranian targets inside Syria yesterday after an Israeli fighter jet crashed under fire from Syrian air defenses, the military said.
The confrontation was the most serious between arch foes Israel and Iran since the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011.
Israel's raids came after it intercepted what it said was an Iranian drone entering its airspace from Syria. It marked the first time Israel publicly acknowledged attacking what it identified as Iranian targets in Syria since the war began.
The Israeli military issued a warning to Tehran, saying it was responsible for the drone that entered Israel, which it labeled an "attack." It said its reprisals after the exchange were "large-scale" raids.
"A few minutes ago, (Israeli aircraft) ... targeted the Syrian-Aerial Defence System and Iranian targets in Syria," a military statement said. "Twelve targets, including three aerial defense batteries and four Iranian targets that are part of Iran's military establishment in Syria were attacked."
Israel has repeatedly warned in recent weeks against the presence of Iranian forces in neighboring Syria. The Israeli pilots of the crashed F16 were reported alive, although one was severely wounded.
According to the Israeli military, the confrontation began with a drone entering its airspace. Israeli forces identified an "Iranian UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)" launched from Syria and intercepted it in Israeli airspace with a combat helicopter, a statement said.
They then "targeted the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the UAV into Israeli airspace," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus tweeted. "Massive Syrian anti-air fire, one F16 crashed in Israel, pilots safe."
Police said the F16 crashed in the Jezreel valley in northern Israel. It was not clear if the jet crashed as a direct result of the Syrian fire. According to a separate military statement, "multiple anti-aircraft missiles were fired at IAF (Israel-Air Force) aircraft."
"The pilots of one of the aircraft abandoned as per procedure. The pilots landed in Israeli territory and were taken to the hospital for medical treatment."