The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) warplanes have reportedly conducted air strikes near the Syrian capital city Damascus, and a town close to the border with Lebanon.
In a statement by Syria’s official SANA news agency, the Syrian Army said: "This afternoon, the Israeli enemy targeted two safe areas in Damascus province, namely the Dimas area and the Damascus International Airport.
Go deeper with GlobalData
"This aggression proves Israel’s direct involvement in supporting terror in Syria, along with other Arab and regional countries.
"The Israeli attack was designed to lift the morale of the terror groups, primarily Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State, after the blows they have received from the Syrian Army."
According to the army, several facilities at the Damascus Airport and in the area of Dimas had been hit, but no casualties were reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least ten explosions were heard in the vicinity of al-Dimas area in the suburbs of Damascus.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThe suspected Israeli warplanes targeted military zones in al-Dimas area and the exports and imports warehouse in the military part of the Damascus Airport that contained weapons belonging to either Hezbollah or to the regular army, SOHR added.
Unnamed Lebanese sources also confirmed to Haaretz that the IAF had been flying over southern Lebanon since the morning of 6 December.
However, the Israel Defence Forces said they do not comment on ‘foreign reports’.
Despite allegedly launching several air strikes on the Syrian territory since the start of civil uprising against the President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011, the IAF has never publicly confirmed such missions.
The air raids have been primarily aimed at preventing weapons transfers to Syrian allies in Lebanon, namely the militant Hezbollah movement, as reported by BBC News.
Meanwhile, a US-led coalition is also currently launching airstrikes in Syria that are targeted at the Islamic State terrorist group.
Image: The Israeli warplanes have conducted air strikes near Damascus International Airport in Syria. Photo: courtesy of Aziz1005.
