Local Editor Russia Tuesday announced its early warning system had detected the launch of two ballistic missiles from the central part of the Mediterranean Sea fired towards the Sea's eastern coastline.  According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the launches took place at 10:16 am Moscow time and were detected by the early warning system in Armavir in southern Russia.It said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had already reported to President Vladimir Putin about the event, which comes amid growing expectations of Western military action in Syria. "The launch was detected by the early warning radar in Armavir," the Interfax news agency quoted the defense ministry as saying. It further added that "the trajectory of the targets in question was from the central part of the Mediterranean Sea towards the eastern part of the Mediterranean coastline." "Sergei Shoigu has already reported to Vladimir Putin -- the commander-in-chief of the Russian armed forces -- about the discovery of the launch of the ballistic targets," it said. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Damascus confirmed that "there were no rocket attack signals or blasts in Damascus." The UK has stressed that it is aware of missile launches in Mediterranean but "have nothing to do" with the launch. A NATO spokesman said the alliance was trying to verify the reports. Until then, the bloc will not comment on the incident. However, "Israeli" channels reported that the ballistic missiles were part of a joint exercise with the US. Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team |
Israeli missile test in the Mediterranean startles region
A Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries is positioned in the Mediterranean coastal city of Haifa on 29 August 2013. (Photo: AFP - Jack Guez)
Israel tested a US-backed missile system in the Mediterranean on Tuesday but did not announce the launch in advance, prompting a disclosure by Russia that startled the region as the United States considered an attack on Syria.
The morning launch was first reported by Moscow media that quoted Russian defense officials as saying two ballistic "objects" had been fired eastward from the center of the sea – roughly in the direction of Syria.
The news ruffled financial markets until Israel announced that it, along with a Pentagon team, had carried out a test-launch of a Sparrow missile. The Sparrow, which simulates the long-range missiles of Syria and Iran, is used for target practice by Israel's US-backed ballistic shield Arrow.
"Israel routinely fires missiles or drones off its shores to test its own ballistic defense capabilities," a US official said in Washington.
Western naval forces have been gathering in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea since an alleged August 21 gas attack took place.
Damascus denies responsibility for the incident. US President Barack Obama had been widely expected to order strikes on Syria last week but put them off to seek support from Washington lawmakers first.
Russia opposes any outside military intervention in Syria's civil war and says it suspects the chemical attack were staged by rebels seeking foreign involvement in the conflict.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin of the launch but it was not immediately clear how he reacted.
Brent crude oil extended gains to rise by more than $1 per barrel and Dubai's share index fell after Russia said it detected the launches.
Five US destroyers and an amphibious ship are in the Mediterranean, poised for possible strikes against Syria with cruise missiles – which are not ballistic. US officials said the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and four other ships in its strike group moved into the Red Sea on Monday.
"The pressure being applied by the United States causes particular concern," Itar-Tass quoted Russian Defence Ministry official Oleg Dogayev as saying. He said "the dispatch of ships armed with cruise missiles toward Syria's shores has a negative effect on the situation in the region."
(Reuters)
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