Jagarian pointed to a military deal between Russia and Syria about the purchase
of the S-300 missile defense system, saying that the delivery of the advanced
system to the Arab country has started.
"This was not our choice; we had to do this,” he said, adding, "Our President,
Mr. Putin, in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin)
Netanyahu explained the reasons for this decision by Russia.”
The ambassador went on to say that the decision has its roots in the casualties
inflicted on Russia as a result of the Israeli attacks in Syria, adding, "After
all, we have lost our military forces.”
"We will transfer our radio-electronic equipment and we have informed Israel of
it,” Jagarian said, adding, "We are transparent; these provocative acts of
Israel will no longer go unanswered.”
Last month, Israel launched missiles at a target near the Syrian capital of
Damascus.
"Our air defenses responded to an Israeli missile attack on Damascus
international airport and shot down a number of hostile missiles,” the state-run
Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted a military source as saying on September
16.
Earlier, Israeli had revealed that it has launched more than 200 air attacks
against targets in Syria over the past year and a half.
It came as Syrian forces, backed by Iran and Russia, continue to reclaim much of
southern parts of the country and are poised to soon launch an offensive in
Idlib, one of the last remaining areas outside of Damascus’ control.
Encouraged by the Syrian army’s gains and the somewhat improving economic
conditions in the country, over 13,000 Syrian refugees have returned home so far
this year from Lebanon alone, with thousands more also returning from other
neighboring countries.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist
groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently fighting against
the central government.
In the meantime, Iran and Russia have remained close allies of Syria and support
its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.
Source: Tasnim