Russia says Israel behind overnight airstrikes on Syrian regime airbase

Israel was behind the overnight airstrikes that struck one of the Syrian regime’s largest airbases in central Syria, Russia has said on Monday.

Two Israeli fighter jets fired eight missiles from Lebanese airspace against Syrian army facilities, five of which were shot down by regime defenses, according to a statement by Russia.

Syrian state TV said there were casualties in what it said was a suspected U.S. missile attack on a major air base in central Syria, but the United States denied it had launched any air strikes against the country.

The state broadcaster earlier said explosions were heard at the T-4 airfield near Homs, which is close to the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria and a main base for Iranian-backed militias.

A Syrian military source was quoted as saying air defenses shot down eight missiles fired at the base, also known as the Tiyas Airbase, where defense analysts say there are large deployments of Russian forces, and where jets fly regular sorties to strike opposition-held areas.

The state broadcaster said that there were several dead and wounded in the strike.