The statement of the Russian defense Ministry, that Moscow may reconsider the sale of s-300 systems to Damascus after the U.S. and allies air strikes, has caused concern among Israeli analysts and journalists who are concerned about possible threats it may pose to the Jewish state.
Jerusalem post warned that “superiority in the air of Israel is in danger to be appealed in one of the most difficult” places, if Russia decides to sell Syria advanced air defense systems. The newspaper expresses fears that Israeli pilots could be killed if Damascus had their hands on the more effective missiles. The unit in question is the s-300 Russian long-range air defense missile system, designed to protect against aircraft and cruise missiles. The system is one of the most advanced weapons in its class.
Analyst news broadcaster i24 in Ron Ben-Yishai supports these concerns, saying that the Jewish state would have to take a “cautionary and preventive measures have not been taken so far.”
The chief of the Main operational Directorate of the Russian General staff, Colonel-General Sergey rudskoy said that Russia may consider selling s-300 systems to Damascus, shortly after the U.S.-led strikes on 14 April.
Moscow has decided not to sell them to Damascus, Syria some time ago in connection with “the urgent request of some of our Western partners.” But, as the General said, taking recent events into account, Russia could consider the issue not only for Syria but for other countries.
According to media reports, more modern systems s-300 could be you need to update Syrian air defenses, which now consists of Soviet weapons. According to DP, the most modern Russian system, Damascus has a low range complex Pantsir s-1, capable of shooting down drones and rockets in Syrian airspace.
Israeli attack on Syria
Since 2013, Israel acknowledged hitting about 100 targets in Syria and more strikes are also reported to have been created by the Jewish state forces, who subsequently denied it. Some targets were in the Syrian-Israeli border in the Golan heights. Two-thirds of the region, internationally recognized as Syrian territory, was annexed by Israel in 80 years and remains controversial. In the Eastern part of the Golan heights which are Syrian hands, became a target for “al Qaeda” -affiliated al-Nusra and Daish and other Syrian opposition fighters.
However, Israel has a place, in the arms of Hizbollah convoy in the province’s capital and other regions. In 2017 Israel bombed a military airport near Damacus. Then the diplomat said the Agency sputnik that it was done “in order to encourage and support terrorists.” On February 10, 2018, in retaliation for the alleged Iranian incursion drone over Israeli territory, the IDF launched an airstrike against their positions in Syria, cost them one of their aircraft. The loss of the aircraft over Syrian territory proposed another attack against the country, claiming the lives of between 6 and 10 soldiers, according to different sources, and damage to 12 targets.
Russian missiles for another Israeli competitor
In 2016, Russia has supplied the s-300 to another Israeli rival power in the middle East and an ally of the Syrian government, Iran. $800 million is the Moscow-Tehran Internet for the delivery of Russian s-300 air defense systems to Iran was signed in 2007 but was suspended in connection with the adoption of UN security Council sanctions on Iran in mid-2010. In April 2015, Russia resumed negotiations on s-300 deliveries, in accordance with the interim agreement on the Iranian nuclear program.
In 2016, the special representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Afghanistan, said that Tehran has also expressed interest in supplies of Russian s-400 air defense system, but both countries are currently not holding any negotiations on this subject. S-400 is a new generation of Russian air defense system. It carries out three different types of missiles that can destroy air targets at short to very long distances.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
