Syria has repelled Israeli surveillance planes that breached its southern border. <br/><br/>The development comes days after an Israeli fighter jet was downed during raids on the war-torn country.<br/><br/>Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes on the Syrian armed forces and their allies since the civil war broke out in 2011. Iran with Russia is the main military backer of the Damascus government.<br/><br/>Israel has largely confined its operations to targeting Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group that is a key ally of Iran.