Syria, Russia start joint air force patrols near Israeli border

Russian Defense Ministry says patrol included Golan Heights, southern border of Syria, Euphrates River and northern Syria; ministry says patrols will be carried out on a regular basis and will include practicing of air attacks and maneuvers
Reuters, Ynet|
Syrian and Russian military jets on Monday jointly patrolled the airspace along Syria's borders, including the armistice line with Israel, and plan to make such flights regular, Russia's defense officials said.
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  • According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the path of the patrol included the Israeli and Syrian Golan Heights that has seen regular Israeli air strikes against suspected Iranian and Hezbollah positions.
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    הפצצת חיל האוויר הרוסי באידליב שבסוריה
    הפצצת חיל האוויר הרוסי באידליב שבסוריה
    A Sukhoi Su-34 attack aircraft above Syria's Idlib region
    (Photo: AFP)
    The ministry said the patrol flights "will continue to operate on a regular basis".
    "The mission route included the Golan Heights, the southern border of Syria, the Euphrates River and northern Syria," the statement said. "The Russian pilots took off from Khmeimim Air Base, while the Syrians took off from the Sayqal and Al-Dumayur bases near Damascus."
    According to the ministry, the joint patrol included Russia's latest fighter jets: the Sukhoi Su-34 attack aircraft; Sukhoi Su-35 multi-mission fighter jet;A-50 command and control aircraft, as well as the Syrian army's MiG-23 and MiG-29 aircrafts.
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    מטוס קרב רוסי סוחוי 35
    מטוס קרב רוסי סוחוי 35
    Russia's Sukhoi Su-35 multi-mission fighter jet
    (Photo: Reuters)
    In addition, the Syrian pilots who took part in the patrol practiced air attacks and maneuvers, while the Russian pilots practiced air to ground attacks, the ministry added.
    Russian forces have been present in Syria since 2015 when they helped turn the tide in a civil war in favor of President Bashar al-Assad.
    This month, witnesses and rebel sources said Russian jets have bombed areas near the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, the last opposition-held bastion.
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