An Arab news outlet identified with the Syrian government said on Wednesday morning that Israeli jets struck targets at a Damascus airport.
According to the pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen television channel, the jets targeted the Mezze Military Airport in Damascus, which neighbors President Bashar Assad’s palace. Loud explosions in the Mezzeh neighborhood were also reported on social media. Al-Arabiya, meanwhile, reported that fires broke out at the airport and that emergency vehicle sirens were heard in the area.
There were no official reports on the matter by the Syrian administration or Syrian or Lebanese state media. A Facebook page identified with President Bashar Assad’s regime, “Damascus Today,” noted that the incident was the result of “internal malfunction.”
Major explosions reported at Mezzeh airport in Damascus pic.twitter.com/x0ITpofBqB
— John Arterbury (@JohnArterbury) December 7, 2016
Last week, Syria said that Israeli jets attacked west of Damascus, with reports in Arab media saying an arms convoy intended for Hezbollah was the target. The news came amid tensions along Israel’s northern border after clashes between the Israeli army and militants affiliated with the Islamic State group.
According to Syria’s state television, the jets fires two missiles during the sortie and no one was hurt or killed. The attack, it said, took place near the town of As’saboura.
#Syria #Damascus #Mezze #Mezzeh #Mezze_Airport #Mezzeh_Airport tonight Unknown Explosions Some Say Fuel Tankers? Others Air Strike No1 Knows pic.twitter.com/LjbVxSBWBz
— Ivan Sidorenko (@IvanSidorenko1) December 7, 2016
Arab media outlets have reported that Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck targets inside Syria near the capital city of Damascus on Wednesday.
The incident has yet to be confirmed by Israeli sources, and the IDF has refused to comment on the report.
According to the claims, large explosions were heard around the El-Mezzeh airbase just outside of Damascus.
Last week, foreign outlets reported that Israeli forces struck sites outside of Damascus. A separate IDF operation targeted a position along the Syrian-Lebanese border.