Israel launched air raids on Syria, targeting locations near the government-held city of Homs, but Syrian air defences successfully intercepted most of the missiles, according to a report from state media. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), citing an army statement, stated that the missiles flew over parts of Beirut, Lebanon, before striking areas near Homs. The attacks caused only material damage, as reported by SANA.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed that their fighter jets had attacked a Syrian air defence battery that had launched an anti-aircraft missile toward Israel. The jets also targeted other locations in the vicinity, according to Avichay Adraee. In an earlier statement on Twitter, Adraee stated that the anti-aircraft missile fired from Syria exploded in mid-air, resulting in no casualties.

Israel has recently escalated its attacks on Syrian airports and air bases in an effort to disrupt Iran’s increasing use of aerial supply lines to provide weapons to its allies in Syria and Lebanon, including Hezbollah. Military experts in Israel describe these attacks as part of a broader strategy aimed at countering Iran’s growing influence in Syria.

Since the start of the civil war in 2011, Iran has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad, leading to an expansion of its presence in the country. Iran and its allied fighters, including Hezbollah, now hold significant influence in various parts of Syria, including eastern, southern, and northwestern regions, as well as several suburbs surrounding the capital.