30 January 2016•Update: 30 January 2016
NEW YORK
U.S. and British intelligence services reportedly tapped into live video feeds from Israeli drones and military planes as part of a program dating to 1998, according to a media report Friday.
The classified program, code-named "Anarchist", was based in the Trodos Mountains on the Greek Cypriot area and some of its interceptions appear to show drones carrying missiles, The Intercept website reported Friday.
"Although they are not clear enough to be conclusive, the images offer rare visual evidence to support reports that Israel flies attack drones -- an open secret that the Israeli government won’t acknowledge", the website said.
The report said the information came from files leaked by U.S. National Security Agency whistle-blower Edward Snowden.
The agency was running the program along with the British government communications headquarters.
"Much of Anarchist’s focus was on Israel," the report said, adding that the leaked files "highlight the conflicted relationship between the United States and Israel and U.S. concerns about Israel’s potentially destabilizing actions in the region."
In one instance, U.S. and British spies had "a virtual seat in the cockpit" as Israeli forces struck Palestinians in 2008, according to the report.
The files indicate that the Anarchist was also monitoring Israeli drones for a potential strike against Iran and keeping tabs on the drone technology Israel exports around the world, The Intercept said.
