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Syria denies Israel behind airbase explosion
Several explosions were heard at an airbase near Damascus early on Sunday morning, prompting accusations that Israel had launched a series of airstrikes.
According to the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, the Mazzeh airbase was hit by a “possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions”. “It left two pro-regime fighters dead and wounded another eleven, some of them in critical condition … it is not clear whether they are from the regime’s army or a militia that supports it,” he added.
Syria has denied reports that the explosions were caused by Israeli air strikes. Syrian state media reported that the explosions were caused by an electrical fault whilst other pro-regime sources said the explosions were caused by missiles being intercepted that were launched from the Golan Heights.
The airbase, which is used by Syrian Air Force Intelligence, has been bombed several times in recent years, with some of the attacks being attributed to Israel. In January 2017, Syria accused Israel of attacking the base, and threatened repercussions. Israeli missiles also reportedly targeted the base in late 2016. According to Haaretz, the base includes weapons depots and military facilities used by Iran and Hezbollah.
Israel has acknowledged carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop deliveries of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah and prevent the Iranian military building new bases and importing heavy weapons and sophisticated anti-aircraft systems.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the newly appointed US Special Representative for Syrian Affairs, James Jeffrey, yesterday in Jerusalem. The pair discussed the situation in Syria and the joint effort to stop Iran’s malign regional activities. Jeffrey will travel to Jordan and Turkey and will reiterate the US position against a military offensive in Idlib. Jeffrey “will also address Russia’s specious allegations of international plans to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria”, according to the US State Department.