File photo. Syrian air defense systems respond to an Israeli missile attack on Damascus on 4 May 2020. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
In the early hours of 31 January, Syrian air defense systems intercepted several Israeli missiles targeting different locations in the capital Damascus.
According to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the incident happened at around 03:05 am local time.
A military official told SANA that the country’s missile defense system was immediately activated and managed to intercept most of the missiles that were launched from the direction of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
A few of the missiles managed to hit their targets, causing some material damage.
The Israeli occupation has carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian territory since 2011 when western-sponsored armed groups launched an armed uprising against the government of Syria.
Dozens of civilians have been killed and injured during these Israeli attacks; this, despite claims by Tel Aviv that its airstrikes only target members of the Hezbollah resistance group who have been deployed in Syria to help the government fend off attacks by western-backed militias.
The airstrikes have also caused significant damage to important social and commercial facilities. In December 2021, the key port of Latakia was targeted by Israeli missiles on two occasions.
The attacks caused massive fires that burned shipping containers and disrupted the operations at the port. The port is a vital facility for the country, due to the fact that it is the entry point for most essential goods.
An Israeli attack on the Syrian city of Homs on 25 November 2021 killed two civilians and left one with serious injuries. Six soldiers also sustained injuries from the attack.
Most of the attacks have been launched by Israeli war planes flying over the Mediterranean Sea or over Lebanese territory.
The government of Lebanon has launched numerous complaints to the United Nations over the violation of its airspace. It says the conduct of Israel is not only an attack on its sovereignty but also poses a danger to Lebanese citizens.
On 19 August, a Middle East Airlines flight ME419 heading to Beirut from Abu Dhabi was forced to change course and delay its landing to avoid being caught in the crossfire of Israeli planes carrying out airstrikes on Syria.
Civilian aircraft heading towards Beirut airport were affected during the Israeli Air Strike on Syria. pic.twitter.com/6c0kwHsP6H
— KI Data (@KiIntel) August 19, 2021