Israeli strikes target Syria’s airports as conflict with Hamas escalates
Syria’s two main airports have been targeted by Israeli strikes, according to Syrian state television on Thursday.
The attack was the first of its kind since Hamas’ assault on Israel at the weekend triggered a week-long escalation of fighting between the two sides.
The state television reported on the messaging app Telegram, “Israeli aggression targets Damascus and Aleppo airports,” but did not provide additional details.
The repeated Israeli strikes on the airports in Aleppo and the capital Damascus have caused several flight cancellations.
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These latest attacks were carried out while US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was visiting Israel.
They also came hours after Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, called on Arab and Islamic countries to confront Israel in a phone call with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad.
In the past ten years of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its northern neighbour, primarily targeting Iranian-backed forces, Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian army positions.
Although Israel rarely comments on individual strikes it admits to, it has repeatedly stated that it would not allow Iran (which supports Assad’s government) to expand its influence in Syria.
Iran celebrated the Hamas assault on Israel last Saturday, even though it claims that it was not involved in it.