Assad blames Israel over downing of Russian plane

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday blamed Israel for the downing of a Russian Il-20 plane, which was accidentally hit by Syrian anti-aircraft fire during an Israeli missile strike.

"This unfortunate incident was the result of Israeli arrogance and depravity," the Syrian leader said, offering his condolences in a letter to his Russian counterpart for the death of 15 Russian crew members killed in the incident over Syria on Monday.

"We are determined that such tragic events will sway neither you nor us from continuing the fight against terrorism," he continued in the letter published by the official Sana agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R, Front) shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 20, 2015. /VCG Photo

The Russian plane was downed by Syria's Russian-made S-200 air defense system and all aboard were killed. The Russian military has accused Israeli pilots of using the Russian plane as a cover, "exposing it to fire from Syrian air defenses."

Israel's air force chief will on Thursday present findings in Moscow related to the incident.

Israel on Tuesday blamed Syria, saying its anti-aircraft batteries "fired indiscriminately" and failed to ensure that no Russian planes were in the air.

The army said Major-General Amikam Norkin and other senior officers would "present the situation report of the event regarding all aspects, including the pre-mission information and the findings of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) inquiry."

Israel said it had targeted a Syrian military facility where weapons manufacturing systems were "about to be transferred on behalf of Iran" to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

In recent months Israel has increased its attacks in Syria against the government or its ally Iran.

An Israeli Merkava battle tank leaves a trail of dust as it speeds during a military exercise in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights along the border with Syria, August 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

It was the worst "friendly fire" incident between Moscow and the Syrian government since Russian forces intervened in the country in late 2015 to support Assad during the Syrian war.

Russian President Vladmir Putin described the incident as the result of "tragic accidental circumstances," warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against carrying out such operations in the future and pledging to beef up security for Russian forces in Syria.

Netanyahu on Tuesday expressed his "sorrow" to Putin in a phone call, offering to assist Moscow in the investigation. However, he insisted the Russian plane had been felled by "extensive and inaccurate Syrian anti-aircraft (fire)."

(Cover: A Russian Il-20 plane. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters