Israeli authorities inspect the remains of what the military said is a Syrian anti-aircraft rocket that exploded in the air, in the town of Rahat, Israel, July 2, 2023. Israel carried out airstrikes on areas near the central Syrian city of Homs, the Syrian military said in a statement. (PHOTO / AP)
DAMASCUS/JERUSALEM – Israel launched a missile strike on military sites in Syria's central province of Homs after midnight Sunday, causing material damage, the Syrian army said in a statement.
According to the statement, the missiles triggered the Syrian air defenses, which intercepted some of the missiles.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the attack targeted weapon depots of the Iranian-backed militias.
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After the attack, Syria launched an anti-aircraft missile into Israeli territory, which exploded in midair and caused no injuries, the Israeli military said in a statement on Sunday.
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In response to the Syrian missile attack, Israeli fighter jets then struck the Syrian air defense battery from which the anti-aircraft missile was launched into Israeli territory and "other targets in the area," the Israeli statement added.
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The Israeli military did not comment on the airstrikes in Homs.
The Syrian army occasionally launches missiles in response to frequent Israeli airstrikes within the country.