Syria confirms downing of its aircraft by Israel

Damascus, Sep 23 (IANS/EFE) Syria confirmed Tuesday that the Israeli military shot down one of its aircraft over the tense border between the two countries in the Golan Heights, Syrian state television reported.

In a brief communique cited by the television, the Syrian military said that "the occupation forces attacked a Syrian warplane and shot it down".

Earlier Tuesday, the Israel Defence Forces announced that Israeli Patriot missile batteries shot down a fighter jet overflying the Syrian Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967.

"A few moments ago, a Syrian unit penetrated Israeli airspace. The Israeli military intercepted it in the air, using the Patriot air defence system. Circumstances of the incident are being investigated," an Israeli military communique said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based non-governmental organisation which monitors the country, said the plane was flying over the Syrian border when it was shot down.

SOHR said the pilot ejected from the aircraft but did not elaborate on his fate.

Meanwhile, Syrian rebels announced in a statement Tuesday the start of a new offensive in the Golan Heights province of Quneitra against the forces of President Bashar al-Assad in a bid to take control of the area.

In recent months, the Golan Heights has been the scene of fighting between jihadi groups and the Syrian Army.

--IANS/EFE

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