S-300 missiles in Syria to "endanger" Mideast: Israeli PM office

Source
Xinhuanet
Editor
Huang Panyue
Time
2018-09-25 08:40:16

JERUSALEM, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister's office said on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Russian President Vladimir Putin that equipping Syria with sophisticated missiles will "endanger" the Middle East.

Earlier on Monday, the Kremlin said that Putin informed Netanyahu over the phone that Russia plans to deploy advanced Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in Syria.

The office said that Netanyahu warned Putin that "transferring advanced weaponry system to irresponsible hands will enhance the dangers in the region."

Netanyahu also stressed that Israel "will continue to protect its security and interest," and Israel will continue airstrikes in Syria against Iranian and Iranian-backed forces.

He also rejected responsibility for the downing of a Russian surveillance aircraft last Monday, in which 15 Russian aircrew soldiers were killed.

The plane was mistakenly downed by a Syrian missile, when Israel was conducting an airstrike on Syria's Latakia province at the same time.

On Sunday, Moscow officially blamed Israel for the incident.

In their recent talk, Netanyahu told Putin he is "confident" that the investigation findings by the Israeli air force are "reliable." According to the findings, rejected by Russia, the Israeli F-16s were already back in Israel when the Russian Il-20 plane was intercepted.

Russia's plan to equip Syria with the advanced missiles came in the wake of the fatal incident.

Russia said in the past it would transfer the S-300 missiles to Syria but halted the plan amid U.S.-Israeli pressure.

Israel has carried out some 200 airstrikes over the last 18 months, claiming that the attacks aimed to prevent Iranian weapon convoys and stop Iran from establishing a military foothold in Syria.

 

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