Israeli airstrikes hit 12 Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria in reprisal for jet crash on Saturday. (AFP Photo)
JERUSALEM, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel aircraft attacked Saturday Iranian targets in Syria after intercepting an Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and an Israeli fighter jet was shot downed by Syria afterwards.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacked the Iranian aircraft's launch components in Syrian territory, said the IDF in a statement.
During the attack, multiple anti-aircraft missiles were fired at Israeli Air Forces aircraft, said the Israeli army.
The IDF also confirmed with Xinhua that one Israeli F-16 fighter was hit and crashed, and the pilots were forced to abandon the fighter.
The pilots landed in Israeli territory and were taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The IDF said one was in serious condition, and the other was lightly wounded.
Earlier, the IDF said that a combat helicopter successfully intercepted an Iranian UAV that was launched from Syria and infiltrated Israel. In response, the IDF targeted Iranian targets in Syria.
The aircraft was identified by the Aerial Defense Systems at an early phase and was under surveillance until the interception, according to the Israeli army.
According to the statement, the IDF sees the Iranian attack and the Syrian response as a "severe and irregular violation of Israeli sovereignty."
The IDF is monitoring events and is fully prepared for further action, depending on assessments and necessity, added the IDF.
The sirens sounded in the Golan Heights are a result of Syrian anti-aircraft missiles, said the Israeli army in the statement.
The IDF will continue to act against "any attempt to infiltrate Israeli airspace and will act with determination to prevent any breach of Israeli sovereignty," said the IDF.