SYRIA: Flights were grounded on Monday due to Israeli airstrikes on Aleppo airport in northern Syria, according to the Syrian defence ministry. Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian territory over the past 12-year civil conflict, primarily targeting areas controlled by the Syrian army and troops supported by Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah.
Israeli airstrikes targeted Aleppo International Airport west of Latakia, causing damage to the runway, as per reports. Israel rarely discusses its bombings in Syria but has stated it will not allow Iran to increase its influence there, as it has previously stated against its archenemy’s expansion.
Israeli army officials have denied commenting on foreign media reports about the damage to the Syrian airport’s runway. Syrian Ministry of Transport representative Suleiman Khalil, stated that maintenance teams will begin repairs to restore the airport to service, and flights were redirected to Latakia and Damascus airports.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that Nayrab military airport’s armament storage facilities were attacked, while Aleppo and Damascus government-run airports have experienced flight cancellations due to Israeli airstrikes.
In May, Israeli attacks on Aleppo led to the deaths of four Syrian officers and three fighters with Iran’s support, causing flight suspensions. In March, two attacks forced the airport to close, with a hit on March 7 resulting in three deaths and another strike two weeks later destroying an arms stockpile used by Iran-backed militias.
The Observatory reports that Monday’s attacks in Syria follow the deaths of two fighters supporting the Syrian government in Israeli airstrikes near Damascus. Since the war began in 2011, over 500,000 people have died, millions have been homeless, and the country’s infrastructure and economy have been severely damaged.
Despite the quieting of frontlines due to foreign forces and jihadists, the government still lacks control over a significant portion of the north. Assad’s regime has reclaimed much of the area lost to rebels with the help of Iran and Russia.
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