This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-45386528
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Syria blasts at Mezzeh military airport 'not Israeli strikes' | Syria blasts at Mezzeh military airport 'not Israeli strikes' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Syria has denied reports that a series of blasts at a military airport near Damascus on Sunday were from Israeli air strikes, state media say. | Syria has denied reports that a series of blasts at a military airport near Damascus on Sunday were from Israeli air strikes, state media say. |
The loud blasts, reported at the Mezzeh airport, were caused by an explosion at a munitions dump, Sana news agency said, citing Syrian military sources. | The loud blasts, reported at the Mezzeh airport, were caused by an explosion at a munitions dump, Sana news agency said, citing Syrian military sources. |
The incident was the result of an electrical fault, the agency added. | The incident was the result of an electrical fault, the agency added. |
Israel has launched air strikes against Syria in the past and was accused of targeting Mezzeh airport last year. | Israel has launched air strikes against Syria in the past and was accused of targeting Mezzeh airport last year. |
The airport is believed to house Syrian Air Force intelligence. | |
On Sunday, the head of UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP news agency the Mezzeh military airport was struck by a "possible Israeli missile" fired across the occupied Golan Heights. | On Sunday, the head of UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP news agency the Mezzeh military airport was struck by a "possible Israeli missile" fired across the occupied Golan Heights. |
Earlier, an official in the regional alliance backing the Syrian government also said the blasts were caused by Israeli missile fire from across the Golan Heights. | |
But a Syrian military source later rejected the claim, stating that the base was not the target of "Israeli aggression", according to state-run Sana. | But a Syrian military source later rejected the claim, stating that the base was not the target of "Israeli aggression", according to state-run Sana. |
Images posted on social media appeared to show several powerful blasts in the area. | Images posted on social media appeared to show several powerful blasts in the area. |
In May, Israel said it had attacked Iranian military infrastructure in Syria following what it said was an Iranian rocket attack on Israeli-held territory. | In May, Israel said it had attacked Iranian military infrastructure in Syria following what it said was an Iranian rocket attack on Israeli-held territory. |
The following month, Israel said it had shot down a Syrian warplane which entered its airspace - a rare incident between the two foes. | The following month, Israel said it had shot down a Syrian warplane which entered its airspace - a rare incident between the two foes. |
In January last year, Syrian state media quoted the army as saying that several rockets had landed at the Mezzeh airport compound, accusing Israel of bombarding the area. | In January last year, Syrian state media quoted the army as saying that several rockets had landed at the Mezzeh airport compound, accusing Israel of bombarding the area. |
Previous version
1
Next version