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Israeli strikes hit Syria's Aleppo airport for second time this month

Two 'regional intelligence sources' say attack targeted underground weapons store
Aleppo International Airport has been attacked several times by Israeli air strikes (AFP/File Photo)

The Israeli military attacked Aleppo International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to Syrian state media.

The Syrian state news agency, Sana, reported no casualties, but said some damage had been caused at the airport. 

It was the second time Aleppo airport has been hit by Israel this month. 

“At about 03:55 am on Wednesday, the Israeli enemy launched an aerial act of aggression with a number of missiles from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Latakia, targeting the vicinity of Aleppo International Airport,” a Syrian military source told Sana.

The source added “the attack caused some material damages to the airport” and the runway has been closed until further notice.

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Aleppo’s airport has been frequently used for aid deliveries to earthquake-hit zones in northern Syria. The earthquakes that struck Turkey a month ago left more than 50,000 dead, including around 6,000 in Syria, sparking a humanitarian crisis.

The Israeli military made no comments following the attack, a stance it has normally kept in previous assaults on Syria. 

Two "regional intelligence sources" speaking to Reuters said the attack targeted an underground munitions depot linked to the nearby Nairab military airport, where alleged missile systems delivered by Iran had been stored. 

In recent years pro-Iranian militias have expanded their influence in Syria's northern Aleppo province. 

Israel has conducted hundreds of air strikes in Syria since 2011, targeting government troops, Iran-backed fighters and Hezbollah members. However, targeting airports and paralysing aviation has become more frequent in recent months.

At the start of this year, the Israeli military attacked Damascus International Airport, putting it temporarily out of service and leaving two Syrian soldiers dead.

Last month, at least five people were killed when suspected Israeli air strikes hit residential neighbourhoods and other locations in Damascus.

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