Syria accuses Israel of airstrikes
December 7, 2014
Syrian state television reported on Sunday that Israeli airstrikes were carried out near the civil war-stricken country's capital.
"The Israeli enemy committed aggression against Syria by targeting two safe areas in Damascus province, in all of Dimas and near the Damascus International Airport," the channel reported, adding that there were no reported casualties.
"This aggression confirms Israel's direct involvement in backing - along with Western and regional countries - terrorism in Syria," Syria's army said in a statement which was aired on state television.
Area held by Assad government
Damascus International Airport (pictured) is used for both civilian and military operations. Nearby Dimas is a town on a main highway close to the border with Lebanon. Both are in territory held by the government of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syria conflict, said the site targeted in Dimas was a military position and that 10 explosions were heard near the town.
The news agency Reuters said residents in Damascus reported hearing loud explosions while Lebanon's al-Manar television, which is run by Hezbollah, also said Israeli jets had staged bombing flights near Dimas.
No initial comment from Israel
An Israeli military spokesman in Tel Aviv declined to comment.
"We do not comment on reports in the foreign media," he told news agency dpa.
Israeli airstrikes have been reported in Syria on several occasions since its northern neighbor's civil war began more than three years ago.
Past incidents
In May 2013, Syria's state media reported that Israeli aircraft struck in three places, including the airport at Dimas. At that time, Israeli and Western officials said it was a strike on missiles bound for Hezbollah in Lebanon, Reuters said.
A coalition led by the United States is also carrying out airstrikes in Syria, targeting the militant jihadist group "Islamic State."
Officially, Syria and Israel are in a state of war, with Israel having since 1967 occupied the Golan Heights. That occupation is not recognized by the international community.
se/ipj (AFP, Reuters, AP, dpa)