Large explosions were reported at a Syrian military air base early Sunday in an attack widely attributed to Israeli warplanes. However, Syria denied an attack had taken place.
The reported strike occurred just after midnight at Mazzeh air base near Damascus, a key regime facility thought to have been targeted by Israel in the past.
The Lebanese al-Meyadeen news outlet, seen as closely linked to the Shiite Hezbollah terror group, claimed that the explosions were the result of an Israeli missile strike.
Five missiles were reported to have targeted the air base.
Eyewitnesses reported large blasts and pictures shared on social media showed large explosions, as well as what appeared to be air defense missiles streaking in the sky.
A Syrian official had earlier said that the base was targeted by a missile strike. It claimed that missiles had been intercepted by Syria’s air defense systems.
Israel generally does not comment on reports of strikes in Syria.
#Israel strike is on Mazze airport around Damascus #Syriapic.twitter.com/6vHRGrjr47— EHSANI2 (@EHSANI22) September 1, 2018
عاجل The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were casualties and extensive damage at the site of the attack, which is also attributed to Israel.
The reported strike came as senior US officials from the State Department were in Israel to discuss Syria with Israeli officials.
In January 2017, Syria accused Israel of launching missiles that hit the Mazzeh base, and threatened repercussions. Israeli missiles also reportedly targeted the base in late 2016.
Officials in Jerusalem have said they take action to stop the transfer of advanced weapons to terror groups and to keep Iran from gaining a foothold in the country; Dozens of strikes inside Syria have been attributed to Israel.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would continue taking action against Iran and its proxies in Syria, and would not be affected by a defense cooperation agreement signed between Damascus and Tehran.
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