|
Israeli Jets Draw Fire Over Lebanon
Israeli warplanes flew Sunday over large parts of Lebanon, including the capital, drawing anti-aircraft fire from the Lebanese army and Hezbollah guerrillas, Lebanese security officials said. Two Israeli jets flew over the southern cities of Sidon and Tyre and the market town of Nabatiyeh, the officials said. Two other planes flew over the eastern Bekaa Valley, breaking the sound barrier over the city of Baalbek, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity."Hi! Remember us?" Witnesses in Nabatiyeh said Hezbollahâs anti-aircraft units fired on the planes. Hezbollahâs Al Manar television station reported the groupâs units confronted the jets. There were no reports of any hits. "Got all the triple-A sites mapped, David?" "Yep. All on tape. Those guys still canât hit anything." "Roger that." The Lebanese army said its anti-aircraft units fired on eight Israeli warplanes that violated Lebanese airspace at midday Sunday. An army statement said the jets flew over areas in north and south Lebanon, including Beirut, breaking the sound barrier over the Bekaa Valley. In Jerusalem, the Israeli army would not comment on its air forceâs activity. It said, however, that no debris from anti-aircraft fire fell inside Israel. The triple-A gunners canât even hit the ground. It was not clear if Hezbollah opened fire on the jets from its positions near the border with Israel. In the past, shrapnel from anti-aircraft fire in Lebanon has fallen on Israeli border communities. Hezbollah routinely fires at Israeli warplanes flying overhead on apparent reconnaissance missions. They havenât hit anything then either. It was the first time an Israeli warplane has broken the sound barrier over Lebanon since the Jan. 29, prisoners swap between Israel and Hezbollah. Just sending a message. Posted by: Steve White 2004-02-09 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=25879 |