http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/252130

The official Syrian news agency reported on Monday evening that the country’s air defense systems had been used against unidentified aircraft in Latakia in northern Syria.

The report also said that explosions were heard, and that the attack targeted research centers for technological developments belonging to the Assad army, in which missiles and weapons are manufactured.

According to reports from Syria, explosions were also heard in the western suburbs of Homs.

On Sunday, the Syrian news agency reported that Israeli warplanes attacked near the Damascus airport over the weekend. A Syrian military source said that "our air defense systems foiled an Israeli attack."

Israel refused to comment on the attack.

In addition, it was claimed that a Syrian S-200 anti-aircraft battery and an Iranian cargo plane at the airport had been destroyed.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/252137

A US official with knowledge of the incident told CNN that the maritime patrol aircraft was inadvertently shot down by Syrian regime anti-aircraft artillery as it retaliated for the Latakia attack which was attributed to Israel.

The Israelis had fired multiple missiles against targets in the coastal area of Latakia where Russian has based much of its military presence, including aircraft. In an attempt to strike back against the Israelis, the Syrians launched extensive anti-aircraft fire, the official said, and the Russian aircraft was hit.

The US found out about the incident because Syrian forces broadcast an emergency search and rescue radio call on an international frequency, according to CNN. The US then got a direct message from another country about the type of aircraft and circumstances of the incident. The official would not identify that country, but it is likely that Russia is the only nation that would know exactly what type of aircraft was shot down.