Israel did not comment on the attack and rarely acknowledges such operations |
International Military - Syrian media reported that Israel's "air aggression" was carried out on Friday morning (10/6/2022) targeting Damascus International Airport. The attack forced the airport to suspend all flights. The Israeli government and military have not commented on the allegations, but have previously admitted to having bombed Syria "hundreds" of times in recent years.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian condemned Israel for its air aggression. He promised Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad that Iran has always "supported" Syria and will continue to do so.
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"The continued attacks by the Israeli aggressor regime against Syrian infrastructure, including airports, ports and other vital centers, are not only a clear violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but are also contrary to all international laws, norms and humanitarian principles," the ministry said in a statement. Iranian Foreign Affairs, summarizes Amir-Abdollahian's message to al-Mekdad.
Iran's foreign minister also criticized the "silence" of some members of the international community, as well as regional and world bodies regarding the incident. He called it "sad and shameful".
Foreign Minister al-Mekdad is said to have expressed appreciation for Iran's support. He said the attack on the airport showed Israel's "fear and weakness" in dealing with an "unstable and fragile" internal situation.
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The Syrian foreign minister promised to continue "resisting the occupation and aggression of the Zionist regime." Al-Mekdad also accused Tel Aviv of attacking its country to try to strengthen “the remnants of terrorist groups, including the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Nusra Front in Syria.”
The Syrian Ministry of Transport announced Saturday morning (11/6/2022) that all flights in and out of Damascus International Airport remain suspended until further notice due to the Israeli attack.
Syrian authorities said the attack caused "heavy damage" to the airport's runway and navigation lighting, and the bomb hit the terminal building.
ImageSat International, a private remote sensing company based in Tel Aviv, released satellite photos late Friday that purported to show damage to the airport. Satellite images include what appear to be craters from both runways. Russia joined Iran in condemning Friday's attack.
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it a "violation of the basic norms of international law and demands that Israel immediately stop this cruel practice." The Israeli military declined Sputnik's request for comment, and does not normally comment on attacks on Syria.
Friday's attack, which injured one person, was the second time since May 20 that Damascus Airport was targeted. The May attack killed three people, according to Syrian media. Israel is alleged to have carried out hundreds of air strikes against its neighbors over the past decade, with officials and the media at times justifying the aggression by pointing to alleged "Iranian" or "Iranian-backed" forces operating in the country.
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Damascus has rejected Israel's accusations, saying it is its right under international law to station whatever troops it wants on its own territory, especially when they provide assistance in fighting extremist militias.