Current location:Earth Examination news portal > politics
British jets shoot down Iranian drones over Syrian border
Earth Examination news portal2024-05-21 15:01:25【politics】7People have gathered around
IntroductionBritish jets have been moved into the Middle East to 'encourage de-escalation' following Iran's laun
British jets have been moved into the Middle East to 'encourage de-escalation' following Iran's launch of drones and missiles at Israel, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Tonight, Iran launched a terrifying assault against Israel by sending some 100 drones following the bombing of one of its embassies in Syria earlier this week in what has been described as a 'dangerous escalation' of conflict in the region.
And as the mayhem began, British and American warplanes reportedly shot down Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area, Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV reported early on Sunday without citing sources.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence told MailOnline: 'In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.
'We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required.
British jets have reportedly 'shot down' Iranian drones over the Syrian border, according to unconfirmed reports. Pictured: an RAF Typhoon jet
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attack on Saturday
Iran launched a terrifying assault against Israel by sending some 100 drones. Pictured: Iranian drones during a military training excercise
'We will continue to cooperate closely with our regional partners in the interest of de-escalation.'
It comes as Rishi Sunak tonight condemned 'in the strongest terms' Iran's 'reckless attack' against Israel - and said Tehran was now intent on 'sowing chaos in its own backyard'.
In a statement on Saturday night, Mr Sunak said: 'I condemn in the strongest terms the Iranian regime's reckless attack against Israel. These strikes risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region.
READ MORE: Iranian commandos storm container ship linked to Israel - Crack troops from Iran's Revolutionary Guard rope onto vessel from a helicopter and seize it - as fears mount Tehran could launch massive missile strike against Tel AvivAdvertisement
'Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard.
'Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. No-one wants to see more bloodshed.
'The UK will continue to stand up for Israel's security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq.'
The PM's comment comes as after Iran launched more than 100 drones and missiles to attack Israel - which are set to hit within hours.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: 'Iran's reckless attacks on Israel will only further inflame tensions in the Middle East. The UK calls on the Iranian regime to stop this serious escalation, which is in no one’s interest.'
Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran over neighbouring Iraq's Sulaymaniya province, according to three security sources. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said via state media that it had 'launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories.'
The IRGC added via state media: 'The aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards has attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime's crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran's embassy in Damascus and martyring our commanders and military advisers in Syria.'
Israeli schools have been shut down in response to threats made by Iran
Tensions between Israel and Iran have been escalating massively in the past few weeks
Iran has threatened to take revenge against Israel for levelling its embassy in Damascus, Syria
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the people of Israel are strong'
Around a hundred drones and missiles were fired at Israel
It added that it was ordered to launch the drones and missiles by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and was under the guidance of the General Staff of the Armed forces, which coordinated military activity.
Israel said tonight that its airspace was shutting down at 12.30am local time. Iraq also announced it was shutting down its airspace and suspending all air traffic on Saturday from 11:30pm local time to 5:30am tomorrow.
Iranian media reported that a second wave of drones has been launched, though details of where they currently are aren't yet known. It is not known if a second wave of cruise missile has been launched.
The IDF's spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the drones to arrive in Israel, adding that sirens would be sounded in threatened areas.
He said that the Iranian attack was a 'a severe and dangerous escalation' in tensions, adding: 'Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran.'
The IDF said: 'The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country's skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.
'We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.'
Details about the drones have not been officially confirmed, but a retired IDF general told Israeli media that the Iranian drones had the capacity to carry up to 44lbs (20kg) of explosives each.
Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities.
Jordan, Israel's eastern neighbour, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. The nation's air defence system is also ready to intercept and shoot down any drones or aircraft that violate its airspace, security sources said.
The Jordanian army is also on a state of high alert, and radar systems are monitoring drone activity.
Syria is also on high alert, setting up its ground-to-air defence systems around the capital Damascus and major bases in the event of an Israeli strike, army sources said.
Sources told Reuters they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.
Lebanon, which lies to Israel's north, is also closing its airspace at 1am local time.
The rest of the world has begun to react to Iran's strikes.
Address of this article:http://jersey.adventistmissionjapan.org/content-67f499868.html
Very good!(3)
Related articles
- Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
- Family of Microsoft executive Brad Smith joins Seattle Mariners ownership group
- Text of the policy statement the Federal Reserve released Wednesday
- Australian ministers won't comment on media reports that Indian spies were secretly expelled
- Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
- EU, UN reschedule launch of anti
- Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah
- Nonstop Mideast coverage of Israel
- I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
- Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey to step down from F1 team
Popular articles
Recommended
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
UNC's RJ Davis is returning to school for a 5th season. He was an AP 1st
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in a freezer
St. Louis school district will pay families to drive kids to school amid bus driver shortage
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
Father, 65, earns £85,000
An Alabama Senate committee votes to reverse course, fund summer food program for low
MICHAEL MOSLEY: How ultra
Links
- Interview: China's new quality productive forces bring new opportunities for foreign investors
- Top 10 Women, Children's Rights Protection Cases Publicized in Yunnan
- Xi Meets Argentine President Fernandez
- (CPC Congress) New CPC Leadership to Meet Press on Sunday
- Interview: China's new quality productive forces bring new opportunities for foreign investors
- Departments, Organizations Care for Children
- Xi Calls for Meeting Challenges of the Times Together at G20 Summit
- Top 10 Women, Children's Rights Protection Cases Publicized in Yunnan
- Wenzhou Organizes Family Related Activity
- Chinese Women's Health, Education Continue to Improve