An Airbus A320 was nearly shot down on approach to Syrian capital, Damascus, after Syria launched anti-aircraft missiles in response to an earlier attack by Israel.
The aircraft involved was a 27 year old Cham Wings Airlines Airbus A320, registered YK-BAB, which was performing flight 6Q514 from Najaf with 172 passengers on board.
According to The Washington Post, Russian Air Force spokesman Igor Konashenkov said an Israeli F-16 fighter aircraft fired eight missiles at targets near Damascus, as early as Thursday, prompting Syria to retaliate. He added that the Airbus A320 narrowly avoided being hit by the anti-aircraft fire.
Following the launch of the anti-aircraft equipment, the Cham Wings A320 terminated its approach and made an emergency landing at nearby Russian-controlled Khmeimim air base.
This incident comes a month after a Ukrainian passenger aircraft was shot down by Iran, killing 176 passengers. Iran owned up to the accident and the countries of those involved are now working to investigate the loss of the aircraft.
Cham Wings Airlines has been contacted for a statement, which will be included in this post later if provided.
More information will be added once available.
Cover photo sourced from Cham Wings Airlines.