Putin urges Netanyahu to refrain from destabilizing the situation in Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in Syria and the Israeli air force strikes on the Syrian airbase in the province of Homs, the Kremlin's press service reported. Putin asked Israel to refrain from actions that could pose a threat to Syria's national security and further destabilize the situation in the country. The report said that the conversation was an Israeli initiative.
On April 9, a missile strike was carried out on a military airfield in the Syrian province of Homs. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Israeli F-15s conducted the strike. According to the ministry, the Israeli Air Force did not enter Syrian airspace. They stayed in the skies over Lebanon.
Overall, the Israeli aircraft fired eight missiles; three of them hit the target while the rest were shot down by the Syrian air defense systems. Afterwards, Damascus accused Israel of supporting militants and declared their right to defend the territory of the country and its inhabitants.
Iran reacted aggressively to Israel’s actions. During his visit to Damascus, Assistant to the supreme leader Ali Khamenei called the Israeli Air Force attack a "Zionist crime" that should not remain unanswered. Israel did not officially confirm or deny the attack on the Syrian base, CNN notes.