The Israeli military launched an air raid on the Syrian port of Latakia on Tuesday, setting fire to a container storage area and damaging adjoining structures in what was the country’s second attack on the site this month, according to Syrian official media.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli military declined to make any comments. It was stated by a representative that “we do not comment on international reports.”
There were no injuries reported in Syria, according to the reports.
Israel has launched many airstrikes against what it claims are Iranian targets in Syria, where Tehran-backed troops, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have been stationed for more than a decade in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s ongoing civil war.
Syria’s state news agency, SANA, reported that Israel launched an air strike on the container storage area at 3:21 a.m. (0121 GMT), causing a fire and “significant material damage.” The source stated the strike was carried out at the request of the Syrian government.
The commander of the Latakia fire department was quoted by SANA as stating that firefighters were attempting to put out the blaze, which was still burning. According to him, the containers targeted by the strike held oils and spare parts for machinery and automobiles, according to the report.
Flames and smoke could be seen in the container area, according to footage broadcast on Syrian official television.
As reported by state-run television al-Ikhbariya, the blasts caused significant damage to a number of residential buildings, as well as a hospital, and a number of shops and tourist facilities in the area.
It is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) away from Latakia that Russia maintains an air base, which has served as Assad’s most important ally throughout the conflict.