The Syrian air defense forces have deployed several S-125 Pechora batteries to the Marj Ruhayyil airbase South of Damascus city. The modernized variant is reportedly the M2 version of the S-125 Pechora, which is technically capable of tracking and intercepting low-flying cruise missiles, according to Fars News.

The upgrading of the Marj Ruhayyil base’s local air defense network is likely a response to the increased number of air attacks attributed to Israel against Syrian military assets in the province of Damascus and neighboring regions over the course of 2017, the report adds.