clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Ya’alon: Russian air defence missile system in Syria is not a threat

December 1, 2015 at 10:09 am

Israel’s defence minister Moshe Ya’alon said yesterday that the Russian S-400 air-defence missile system in Syria does not threaten Israeli aircrafts.

During a tour at the Tel HaShamor enlistment base, Ya’alon responded to a question from Israel Radio about the air-defence missile system saying that it does not threaten Israeli aircrafts or put restrictions on their overflight freedom.

He pointed out that there is an understanding between Israel and Russia in this regard.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the UN climate summit in Paris, France.

In a written statement, Netanyahu’s office had earlier said that the meeting with Putin would discuss “the situation in Syria”.

Netanyahu visited the Russian capital, Moscow, in late September saying: “It was very important to come here in order to clarify our position and to do everything to avoid any misunderstandings between our forces.”

Netanyahu has repeatedly declared that he would not allow Syria to transfer weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, or to set up a new front for Iran in the Syrian Golan Heights.

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced earlier that the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system is operating in the Khmeimim Air Base in the Syrian city of Lataki, where the country’s troops are located.