For the first time, Israel fired advanced Rampage stand-off air-to-surface missiles against Syria in order to overcome the advanced Russian-made S-300 interceptor, foreign media reported on Wednesday.
Israel reportedly attacked Iranian assets in a Syrian base near Hama on Saturday morning, destroying several military installations. Israel did not assume responsibility for the attack, but satellite imagery showed the aftermath of the apparent strike.
According to the foreign media reports from Wednesday, Israel used the supersonic missile Rampage, developed by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The reports said it effectively hit its intended targets, essentially neutralizing the S-300, which has been recently transferred to the Syrian military.
Israel has repeatedly stressed that it would do everything it could to prevent Iran from establishing a foothold in Syria, even if that means military attacks. This has often led to friction with Russia.
In September, following an Israeli attack, Syrian forces accidentally shot down a Russian aircraft that had been in the area, having mistaken it for an Israeli plane. Moscow said Israel was indirectly responsible for incident, and shortly afterward transferred the advanced S-300 air defense system to the Syrian regime. According to unconfirmed reports, the Syrian regime will soon be fully trained on operating the system.
