A week after Russia launched multiple airstrikes on war-torn Syria, Israel carried out a similar strike early Sunday on areas near the central Syrian city of Homs. According to the statement issued by the Syrian army, there were no reports of human losses but additional material damage was reported in some areas.
The Israeli army said a Syrian anti-aircraft missile exploded over Israeli territory, triggering another round of attacks. Syrian state media quoted an unnamed military official as saying air defenses shot down some missiles fired by Israeli warplanes flying over neighboring Lebanon.
Syrian air defense missiles explode over Israeli territory
Israeli officials did not comment on the airstrike on Homs. But the military said one of the Syrian air defense missiles exploded over Israeli territory without causing any damage. Israeli police said the remains of the rocket fell in the southern Israeli city of Rahat. In response to the rocket, Israeli jets attacked the air defense battery from where the anti-aircraft rocket was launched. The military said it also struck other targets, without giving details.
Israel, which has vowed to stop Iranian incursions into the neighbourhood, has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of neighboring Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges them.
The last suspected Israeli airstrike on Syria took place on 14 June near the capital Damascus, injuring a soldier.
Israel has also targeted international airports in Damascus and the northern Syrian city of Aleppo several times over the past few years, often putting it out of commission.
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