Global Geopolitical Series: Israel shoots down Syrian jet infiltrating air space; calls for buffer zone amid pro-government rampage against rebels

The Israeli military has reportedly shot down a Syrian jet after it infiltrated Israeli air-space while conducting airstrikes on rebel positions in the southwest of Syria. According to Israeli defense force, the fighter jet was downed by a pair of Patriot missiles fired after the plane flew about 2km into Israeli airspace. In the last few weeks, Israel has shot down a Syrian drone over the Sea of Galilee and used a new weapons system to stop stray missiles from Syria landing inside Israel.

Israeli has repeatedly been calling for a buffer zone between south-west Syria and Israel to prevent regular confrontation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing Syria’s main ally Russia to make the pro-government forces to respect the 1974 separation of forces line that was abandoned during the course of Syrian civil war.

Israeli defense ministry has announced that it would continue to operate against any breach of 1974 separation line.