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Wreckage of Israeli chopper downed in Yom Kippur War found in Syria

The remains were returned to Israel on Saturday, and the families of the six victims of the crash on April 27, 1974, were notified.

The front rotor of an Israeli helicopter that crashed on Mount Hermon during a rescue operation in 1974. Credit: IDF Spokesman's Office.
The front rotor of an Israeli helicopter that crashed on Mount Hermon during a rescue operation in 1974. Credit: IDF Spokesman’s Office.

Israeli forces in Syria have found the wreckage of an Israeli Air Force helicopter that crashed during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

The remains of the helicopter, which went down due to bad weather conditions during a rescue mission, were uncovered last week on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.

The wreckage was returned to Israel on Saturday, and the families of the six victims of the crash on April 27, 1974, were notified, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported on Sunday.

Israeli forces took up defensive positions on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon shortly after Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted by rebels on Dec. 8.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will remain on the Syrian side of the strategic plateau until another arrangement can be found.

Israeli officials have described the move as limited and temporary to ensure the security of Israel’s border area.

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