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| Regarding the attack on Damascus International Airport, Russia Asks For Clarification From Israel |
Last week, Israel launched an offensive into Syria which saw Damascus halt flights to and from the airport until further notice following the attack.
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Syria has been a staunch ally of Moscow since Russia launched a military campaign in 2015 in support of President Bashar al-Assad, helping turn things around in the country's civil war. "Serious concerns are once again expressed over the June 10 attack by the Israeli air force on the Damascus civilian airport, which damaged the runway, navigation equipment and buildings, as well as disrupted international civilian air traffic," the Russian Foreign Ministry said after Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met Israeli Ambassador Alexander Ben Zvi in Moscow.
"The ambassador was informed that the justification received from the Israeli side regarding the attack was unconvincing and Moscow hopes for additional clarification," the statement continued.
Israel, whose main ally is the United States, on February 26 condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "serious violation of the international order" and has since remained largely silent on Moscow's actions. For several years, Israel has struck what it describes as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran-backed forces, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, have been deployed to support Assad.
Read Also: Israel Attacks Syria, Damascus International Airport Flights Suspended
Following Russia's 2015 intervention in the Syrian civil war, Israel established a "deconfliction mechanism" with the great power to prevent the two countries from accidentally clashing during an Israeli offensive.