Media reports: Israel compels Iran-bound plane to return to Syria
The Israeli military allegedly compelled an Iranian aircraft to exit Syrian airspace due to concerns it could be transporting weapons for Hezbollah. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
An Iranian civilian airliner was reportedly compelled by the Israeli military to turn back during its mid-flight journey, leaving Syrian airspace over the weekend due to suspicions that it was transporting arms intended for Hezbollah.
The incident allegedly occurred from Saturday to Sunday and involved several Israeli fighter jets, which purportedly issued threats to the Mahan Air aircraft before it could safely land in Syria, as reported by Ynet and The Times of Israel.
Ynet shared a flight path map showing the aircraft traveling from Tehran through Iraqi airspace to Syria and then back again, although The Times of Israel claimed this was not related to the incident.
A similar situation reportedly unfolded earlier in October within Iraqi airspace, where a Qeshm Fars Air flight from Tehran had to reverse course following a warning from the Israeli Defense Forces. Israel has accused Iran of using civilian aircraft to transport weapons to Hezbollah through the Beirut airport, pledging in late September to “patrol” the airspace to stop such transfers.
West Jerusalem also asserts that Hezbollah consistently receives weapons shipments through land routes in Syria. Just last week, the Israeli military announced that it had bombed several “smuggling sites” along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
Israel has a history of conducting airstrikes on Syrian territory, including at border crossings and within prominent cities, which the IDF claims are intended to disrupt Iranian military operations in the region.
In April, an Israeli strike targeted a building within Tehran’s embassy compound in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of an Iranian general and others. Later, an Israeli military spokesman declared that the site was a legitimate military target and not protected under international law.
Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel intensified in October 2023, as the IDF laid siege to the Palestinian enclave of Gaza in response to a deadly raid by Hamas into southern Israel. In September, West Jerusalem initiated a campaign to undermine the movement by targeting its leaders and members with airstrikes and covert operations, while also deploying ground troops across the border.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, mediated by the US and France, came into effect last Wednesday. However, reports indicate that Paris has privately criticized West Jerusalem following more than 50 breaches of the truce recorded throughout the week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a key reason for his government's agreement to the ceasefire was the need to focus on the Iranian threat.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
The incident allegedly occurred from Saturday to Sunday and involved several Israeli fighter jets, which purportedly issued threats to the Mahan Air aircraft before it could safely land in Syria, as reported by Ynet and The Times of Israel.
Ynet shared a flight path map showing the aircraft traveling from Tehran through Iraqi airspace to Syria and then back again, although The Times of Israel claimed this was not related to the incident.
A similar situation reportedly unfolded earlier in October within Iraqi airspace, where a Qeshm Fars Air flight from Tehran had to reverse course following a warning from the Israeli Defense Forces. Israel has accused Iran of using civilian aircraft to transport weapons to Hezbollah through the Beirut airport, pledging in late September to “patrol” the airspace to stop such transfers.
West Jerusalem also asserts that Hezbollah consistently receives weapons shipments through land routes in Syria. Just last week, the Israeli military announced that it had bombed several “smuggling sites” along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
Israel has a history of conducting airstrikes on Syrian territory, including at border crossings and within prominent cities, which the IDF claims are intended to disrupt Iranian military operations in the region.
In April, an Israeli strike targeted a building within Tehran’s embassy compound in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of an Iranian general and others. Later, an Israeli military spokesman declared that the site was a legitimate military target and not protected under international law.
Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel intensified in October 2023, as the IDF laid siege to the Palestinian enclave of Gaza in response to a deadly raid by Hamas into southern Israel. In September, West Jerusalem initiated a campaign to undermine the movement by targeting its leaders and members with airstrikes and covert operations, while also deploying ground troops across the border.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, mediated by the US and France, came into effect last Wednesday. However, reports indicate that Paris has privately criticized West Jerusalem following more than 50 breaches of the truce recorded throughout the week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a key reason for his government's agreement to the ceasefire was the need to focus on the Iranian threat.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
