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Syria conflict: 'Huge explosion' rocks Damascus airport | Syria conflict: 'Huge explosion' rocks Damascus airport |
(35 minutes later) | |
A large explosion has hit an area near Damascus international airport, a monitoring group says. | A large explosion has hit an area near Damascus international airport, a monitoring group says. |
"The blast was huge and could be heard in Damascus," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. | "The blast was huge and could be heard in Damascus," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. |
The airport lies about 25 km (15 miles) south-east of Syria's capital. | The airport lies about 25 km (15 miles) south-east of Syria's capital. |
The explosion was reportedly followed by a large fire. There are no reports of any casualties. The cause of the blast on Thursday is unclear. | The explosion was reportedly followed by a large fire. There are no reports of any casualties. The cause of the blast on Thursday is unclear. |
Al-Manar TV, run by Lebanon's Shia militant movement Hezbollah, reports that the explosion may have been caused by an Israeli air strike. It said it had only caused material damage. | Al-Manar TV, run by Lebanon's Shia militant movement Hezbollah, reports that the explosion may have been caused by an Israeli air strike. It said it had only caused material damage. |
Air strikes, said to have been carried out by Israel, have hit sites in Syria on numerous occasions, reportedly targeting weapons shipments for Hezbollah. | Air strikes, said to have been carried out by Israel, have hit sites in Syria on numerous occasions, reportedly targeting weapons shipments for Hezbollah. |
Israeli intelligence minister, Israel Katz, said the strike near Damascus was "compatible with Israel's policy" of preventing the transfer of arms. | Israeli intelligence minister, Israel Katz, said the strike near Damascus was "compatible with Israel's policy" of preventing the transfer of arms. |
The minister, who spoke on army radio, would not directly confirm Israel was responsible for the attack but said that Israel reserves the right to operate when required. | The minister, who spoke on army radio, would not directly confirm Israel was responsible for the attack but said that Israel reserves the right to operate when required. |
Hezbollah fought a war with Israel in 2006 and has been fighting in Syria as an ally of the government for several years. Israel considers weapons obtained by the militant movement inside Syria a threat. | |
Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011. The conflict has killed more than 320,000 people and, after more than six years, no political solution to the fighting is in sight. | Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011. The conflict has killed more than 320,000 people and, after more than six years, no political solution to the fighting is in sight. |
While Damascus has remained relatively insulated from the violence, fighting between the military and rebels has erupted near the capital in recent months. | While Damascus has remained relatively insulated from the violence, fighting between the military and rebels has erupted near the capital in recent months. |
Last month, there were reports that Syrian government forces were bombarding eastern areas of Damascus after rebel fighters launched a surprise offensive. | Last month, there were reports that Syrian government forces were bombarding eastern areas of Damascus after rebel fighters launched a surprise offensive. |