A Syrian Air Force fighter jet was shot down by the Israeli Air Defense in the Golan Heights, after the plane allegedly crossed Israeli airspace and the U.N. demilitarized zone. The plane originated from the Rif Dimashq Governate, where the Syrian Air Force conducts daily airstrikes into the Al-Quneitra Governate.
According to a military source, a SU-24 fighter jet was conducting an aerial bombardment of Jabhat Al-Nusra positions inside the Al-Quneitra Governate, when an IDF Patriot Missile struck the aircraft nearing the Israeli border. The missile hit the rear of the fighter jet, forcing the two fighter pilots to abandoned their aircraft. Al-Masdar News has received confirmation that both fighter pilots ejected safely from the aircraft and landed inside the Al-Quneitra Governate, where they were rescued by the National Defense Forces (NDF).
The Israeli Defense Forces Spokesman has confirmed the attack, stating that the Syrian aircraft had violated Israeli airspace. Syrian officials stated that the aircraft had not crossed Israel’s border and that the plane was shot down in Syrian airspace; this is contrary to the Israeli narrative. A military source confirmed that the Syrian aircraft was shot down in Al-Quneitra; he further added that the plane had not entered Israeli airspace that day.
