Russia Slams Israel’s Use of Civilian Airliner as Cover for Strikes on Syria

Following an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian capital Damascus, the Russian Defence Ministry has slammed what it alleged was the use  of an Airbus-320 civilian airliner by Israeli Aircraft as cover from Syrian air defences. The airliner had 172 passengers onboard, and was forced to land at the Russian airbase in Hmeymim due to the danger of attack. This was not the first reported incident in which Israeli jets were reported to have timed such attacks at times when airliners would obstruct the response from Syria’s air defences - and in September 2018 a Russian Il-20 intelligence aircraft was downed by Syrian surface to air missiles during an Israeli air attacks after it was reportedly used as cover by the Israeli fighters.

The Israeli strike on Syria reportedly saw F-16 light fighters launch eight standoff missiles targeting Damascus' Mezzah district on February 6th, injuring eight soldiers and causing some material damage. Syrian state media reported that the several missiles were intercepted by the country’s air defences - although this has not been independently verified. Israeli fighters have sought to avoid operating too deep into Syrian airspace, particularly since February 2018 when an ageing S-200 missile system downed an F-16 carrying out airstrikes, and the vulnerability of aircraft to attacks by Syrian air defences is considerably lower at standoff ranges. With Syrian air defences having grown more capable since with delivery of more advanced Russian systems, Israel's emphasis on long range standoff attacks has only grown. Using other aircraft as cover for strikes has the potential to seriously improve the effectiveness of Israeli attacks.