Israel: IDF Shoots Down 'Syrian' Drone in Golan Heights

Israel said its military has shot down a drone that entered its airspace from Syria.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the unmanned aircraft was downed with a Patriot missile as it flew near the Quneitra crossing between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

"We have repeatedly stated that we will respond to any breach of Israel's sovereignty and will continue to act to maintain safety and security to the civilians of the State of Israel," the Israeli army said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear who the drone belonged to.

IDF spokesmen Peter Lerner suggested it was a Syrian military drone that had accidentally crossed over into the Israel.

Lerner tweeted:

The incident comes amid heightening tensions in the volatile Golan Heights.

The area around Quneitra, in particular has been the stage of heavy fighting between rebel forces and troops loyal to the regime of president Bashar al-Assad.

Earlier this week, 43 UN peacekeepers from Fiji were detained by Syrian rebels with the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front that overrun the crossing on the Syrian side.

The Fijian army said they were pursuing negotiations to secure the soldiers' release.

On Sunday, Another 40 Filipino UN troops have managed to escape at night from their base that had been besieged by the rebels.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, but the following annexation has not been internationally recognized.