Israel denies claim Syrian forces shot down its aircraft

Israel has denied the Syrian government’s claim to have shot down an Israeli fighter jet and drone at the start of a fragile seven-day truce in the country’s civil war.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) immediately refuted the report, saying a Syrian anti-aircraft battery had shot at its aircraft but missed their target.

“Early this morning, two missiles were launched from Syria after the IAF targeted Syrian artillery positions,” a spokesperson said. “IDF aircraft were not harmed.”

The Israeli Air Force said Syrian troops used surface-to-air missiles in the attempt but that it “at no point” compromised pilot safety.

Read the report in the Fraser Coast Chronicle.