A photo taken on July 23, 2006 shows an Russian Il-20M (Ilyushin 20m) plane landing at an unknown location. (AFP file photo)

JERUSALEM, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior Israeli official said on Monday that the military has continued its airstrikes in Syria, even after the downing of a Russian intelligence plane in September.

"The army's coordination with the Russian military continues exactly as it did before the incident," the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

On Sept. 17, a Syrian missile mistakenly shot down a Russian Il-20 surveillance plane in Syria's western province of Latakia while Israel was conducting an airstrike in the province, killing all 15 soldiers aboard.

The incident caused a diplomatic crisis between Russia and Israel, and eventually led Moscow to provide advanced S-300 anti-aircraft systems for Syria.

About three weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to meet.

But the meeting has not yet taken place.

Netanyahu and other senior government and military officials have repeatedly said Israel will continue to halt Iran's efforts to develop a military foothold in Syria.

Israel has carried out at least 200 airstrikes on what it claims as Iranian sites in Syria over the last 18 months. Enditem