An Israeli air attack has struck Aleppo’s international airport, resulting in a runway damage and operational shutdown, Syrian state media SANA reported, citing a military source.
“At about 4:30am [01:30 GMT] … the Israeli enemy undertook an aerial aggression from the direction of the Mediterranean west of Latakia, targeting Aleppo International Airport,” the source said on Monday, adding that this resulted in damage to the runway.
Israel rarely comments on attacks it carries out in Syria but has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch foe Iran to expand its presence in the country.
An Israeli army spokesperson on Monday told the AFP news agency: “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media.”
During more than 12 years of civil war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air attacks on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.
Syrian Ministry of Transport official Suleiman Khalil said the damage centred on the only functioning runway, adding that “maintenance teams will start repair work today to return the airport to service as quickly as possible”.
Flights were diverted to Damascus and Latakia airports, he told AFP.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the attacks also targeted weapons depots at the adjacent Nayrab military airport.
