(Japanese Version)

(Arabic Version)

May, 2022

East of Nakba (19)

 

Part I. Israel bombs a nuclear plant in Iran

 

Chapter 19. Operation code name ‘South of the Border’ (6)

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian jet fighters which besieged the refueling aircraft advised the Israeli pilot to stop in at their tents, that is, to land on Hafar al-Batin base. It was the order rather than advise. Israeli pilot did not answer at all. Instead, pilot tried to manage to escape from the captivity shaking the aircraft from side to side or twisting. However, it was quite impossible to escape from the captivity because the maneuverability of refueling aircraft was far inferior than the fighter jets. Being surrounded by three falcons, the lazy albatross was in a tight corner.

 

When they were approaching to Hafar al-Batin base, the albatross finally tried to attack the falcons flying on both sides to run away. Two falcons had no choice but to avoid the collision at the last moment.

 

After they struggled with each other several times, the Saudi attack captain at the tail made final decision.

 

"I will shoot down the refueling aircraft."

 

In response to that decision, two pilots left from the formation. The captain pushed the missile launch button. The target was a large aircraft in front of him. It was too easy to miss the target.

 

The next moment, missile hit the refueling aircraft. The aircraft with full of fuel was engulfed in a big flame. Pieces of the aircraft fell down with bright shine in the sky.

 

The captain acknowledged one thin line stretching from east to west in the desert. It was the Trans-Arabian Pipeline, commonly known as the TAP Line. TAP Line had been installed to transport crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to the Mediterranean Sea across the deserts of Saudi Arabia along the Iraqi border. But now it was no longer in use.

 

The captain saw that debris of the refueling aircraft was falling down toward the TAP Line. He confirmed that he had shot down the enemy inside of Saudi Arabian airspace. He reported to headquarter.

 

"The guest declined our offer to stop at our tent and tried to escape out of our airspace. I shot down him because he violated our sovereign airspace."

 

After the report to the base, the captain began to lower the altitude gradually toward the base accompanying two subordinates.

 

 

(cont’d)

 

Areha Kazuya