Syria news latest: Anti-aircraft defences reportedly shoot down missiles over two Syrian airbases

Syrian anti-aircraft defences have shot down missiles fired at two of its airbases, according to the country’s state-run television.

It reportedly responded to a missile attack over Homs, which targeted Shayrat air base late on Monday night.

And more missiles were intercepted over another base northeast of the capital Damascus, state television and pro-Iranian Hezbollah media said.

State television showed pictures of a missile that was shot in the air above the air base, but it did not specify in its reports who may be behind the attack.

A Pentagon spokesman said there was no US military activity in that area tonight.

Asked about the missile attack, an Israeli military spokesman said: "We don't comment on such reports."

US, UK and French forces launch airstrikes on Syria

1/15

Shayrat air base was targeted last year in a US cruise missile attack in response to a chemical attack that killed at least 70 people, including children, on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun.

Israel has struck Syrian army locations many times in the course of the conflict, hitting convoys and bases of Iranian-backed militias that fight alongside Syrian President Bashar al- Assad's forces.

Israel has long said Iran was expanding its influence in a belt of territory that stretches from the Iraqi border to the Lebanese border, where Israel says Iran supplies Hezbollah with arms.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT