Israeli Army Reports Downing Iranian Drone, Attacking 'Targets' Inside Syria

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have struck 12 targets in Syria, including Syrian air defense batteries and Iranian military facilities during second wave of attack, the IDF said Saturday.

"The IDF is striking numerous (12) Syrian and Iranian military targets in Syria, in response to Iranian aggression," IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus said on Twitter.

The IDF is striking numerous (12) Syrian and Iranian military targets in Syria, in response to Iranian aggression. More to follow

— Jonathan Conricus (@LTCJonathan) February 10, 2018

​Earlier in the day, an Israeli helicopter downed an Iranian drone after it crossed into the Israel-occupied Golan Heights and struck at what the Israeli military said were Iranian targets in Syria, prompting Syrian fire.

READ MORE: Syrian Air Defense Systems Repel Yet Another Israeli Attack — Reports

Syrian air defense systems opened fire on Israel that triggered air raid sirens. The Israeli military did not say if the attack had been successful. An army spokesperson told Sputnik that an Israeli Air Force jet came down in the country’s north.

"Early in the morning Israeli jets committed yet another act of aggression attacking one of the military bases in central Syria. Our anti-aircraft defense opened fire and hit several jets," the source was quoted as saying by the SANA news agency.

IDF has targeted the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the #UAV into Israeli airspace. Massive Syrian Anti-Air fire, one F16 crashed in Israel, pilots safe. #Iran is responsible for this severe violation of Israeli sovereignty. Event ongoing, more to follow.

— Jonathan Conricus (@LTCJonathan) February 10, 2018

Following the incident, Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has closed the airspace over major part of Israel.

"The [Ben Gurion international] airport is operating in normal mode… The air space to the north of Shefayim [settlement] is closed for flights," the statement read.

During the incidents all flights were delayed for 15-20 minutes.

Earlier in the week, Syrian air defenses have responded to an Israeli attack near Damascus, according to to Syrian SANA state-run agency. Haaretz reported later, citing sources, that Israeli missiles had targeted a "research center", located north of Damascus.

The move has been described as "aggression" by the Syrian government. The government of the Arab republic moved on then with accusing Tel Aviv of effectively aiding the terrorist forces in the country. The Syrian Foreign Ministry wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and another to the UN Security Council seeking help from the UN to put an end to these attacks.

Israel and Syria have never signed a peace treaty and have been repeatedly exchanging attacks in bordering areas.