The airports in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo closed as a result of an Israeli attack, according to Syrian opposition sources.

According to another report on the Lebanese channel al-Mayadeen, air defence systems in Syria responded to the Israeli attack.

⚡️#Israel attacked the airports of Damascus and Aleppo in #Syria, both air harbors, according to preliminary data, suspended operations – media. pic.twitter.com/2RWtmVGt2j

— Oo ps (@ps_trump) October 12, 2023

Another footage after the Israeli Air Force strike near Damascus airport #Israel #gaza #GazaUnderaAttack #HamasMassacre #HamasWarCrimes #HamasTerrorism #IsraelAttack #ısraeli #HamasISIS #IsrealUnderAttack #IsraelFightsBack pic.twitter.com/VIChCer6VZ

— DINESH SHARMA (@medineshsharma) October 12, 2023

Desperate enemy effort, says Syrian defense ministry

The Syrian Defence Ministry released an official statement, shortly after reports claiming that Israel attacked Damascus and Aleppo airports with missiles. According to the statement, during the attack, the runways were damaged during the attack and could not accommodate flights. According to the Syrians, “this is a desperate attempt by the enemy to distract attention from the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.”

According to reports, the attack took place shortly before an aircraft carrying Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian landed in Damascus. The aircraft immediately changed direction and headed for Tehran.

Meanwhile, another Iranian aircraft that entered Syrian airspace during the attacks turned its course towards Tehran. In fact, this aircraft is reportedly owned by Mahan Air, which the US has sanctioned due to its connection with the Revolutionary Guards, as well as carrying arms shipments to Syria.

The same media outlets report that the landing and take-off runways were damaged by the attacks, with no reports of casualties.

These are the first Israeli strikes in Syria since Hamas’ deadly infiltration of southern Israel.

The two countries have been in conflict for more than half a century – since Israel was founded in 1948. Attacks are quite common – especially after unrest breaks out in Israel.

At the same time, there are growing fears in many countries that this violence could lead to a generalized war, with the involvement of neighboring Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.