BICOM

Three of the four S-300 anti-missile defence systems supplied to Syria by Russia have been deployed and are almost operational, according to a report by ImageSat International published yesterday.

ImageSat International claims that the deployment site is located in the northwestern town of Masyaf. “Due to the current regional tension and the detected erection of the launchers it is possible that the mentioned activity indicates an increase of the operational level and alertness,” ImageSat said.

They added: “It is currently unclear why only one launcher is covered by camouflage net. This situation is rare and raises question marks about the operational level of the whole battery and specifically of the covered and folded launcher.”

Russia delivered the S-300 systems to Syria last October, including 49 units of systems-related equipment such as radars, basic target acquisition systems, command posts, and four launchers. The decision to improve Syria’s air defence came after a Russian surveillance aircraft was shot down by Syrian missiles in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike against Iranian targets in Syria. Israeli security officials said the S-300 anti-missile system would not affect Israel’s campaign against Iranian forces in Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that he will travel to Moscow on 21 February for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Russia blamed Israel for creating a dangerous environment in which its aircraft was shot down. Netanyahu said the talks would be focused on Iranian efforts to establish a permanent military presence in Syria.

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, warned Israel of a “deterrence” attack by Iran if it continues airstrikes on its military installations in Syria. “If the Israeli attacks in Syria continue we will take a number of well-thought-out steps for deterrence purposes and a solid response, which will teach the criminal and lying leaders of Israel a lesson,” he said.

According to various reports, the latest Israeli airstrike in Syria killed at least 12 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).