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'Israel rockets' hit Jamraya facility in Damascus Damascus military facilities 'hit by Israel rockets'
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli rockets have hit a research centre near Damascus, Syria says.Israeli rockets have hit a research centre near Damascus, Syria says.
Witnesses heard huge explosions near the Jamraya facility, which Western officials have suggested is involved in chemical weapons research.Witnesses heard huge explosions near the Jamraya facility, which Western officials have suggested is involved in chemical weapons research.
Residents told the BBC that nearby military positions were also hit.Residents told the BBC that nearby military positions were also hit.
Israel has not confirmed the strike, but sources say it targeted weapons bound for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. It is the second suspected Israeli strike in two days.Israel has not confirmed the strike, but sources say it targeted weapons bound for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. It is the second suspected Israeli strike in two days.
On Friday Israeli aircraft hit a shipment of missiles in Syria, according to unnamed US and Israeli officials.On Friday Israeli aircraft hit a shipment of missiles in Syria, according to unnamed US and Israeli officials.
Israel has repeatedly said it would act if it felt advanced weapons were being transferred to militant groups in the region, especially Hezbollah.Israel has repeatedly said it would act if it felt advanced weapons were being transferred to militant groups in the region, especially Hezbollah.
'Mild earthquake''Mild earthquake'
Heavy explosions shook Damascus overnight. Amateur footage posted online claimed to show the blasts at the Jamraya research centre.Heavy explosions shook Damascus overnight. Amateur footage posted online claimed to show the blasts at the Jamraya research centre.
Syrian state media said the attack showed that there was an organic link between Israel and the rebels.Syrian state media said the attack showed that there was an organic link between Israel and the rebels.
"The new Israeli attack is an attempt to raise the morale of the terrorist groups, which have been reeling from strikes by our noble army," state TV said, referring to recent offensives by President Bashar al-Assad's forces."The new Israeli attack is an attempt to raise the morale of the terrorist groups, which have been reeling from strikes by our noble army," state TV said, referring to recent offensives by President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
Damascus-based journalist Alaa Ebrahim told the BBC it was "the biggest explosion" the city had seen since the conflict began two years ago.Damascus-based journalist Alaa Ebrahim told the BBC it was "the biggest explosion" the city had seen since the conflict began two years ago.
He said residents living near Jamraya reported feeling a "mild earthquake" just before the blast, indicating that the rockets may have hit an underground facility.He said residents living near Jamraya reported feeling a "mild earthquake" just before the blast, indicating that the rockets may have hit an underground facility.
He added that the Syrian army was likely to have suffered major casualties in the attack.He added that the Syrian army was likely to have suffered major casualties in the attack.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights quoted eyewitnesses in the area as saying they saw jets in the sky at the time of the explosions.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights quoted eyewitnesses in the area as saying they saw jets in the sky at the time of the explosions.
The Jamraya facility, designated by Syria as a scientific research centre "in charge of raising our level of resistance and self-defence", was also apparently hit in an Israeli air strike in January.The Jamraya facility, designated by Syria as a scientific research centre "in charge of raising our level of resistance and self-defence", was also apparently hit in an Israeli air strike in January.
Israeli officials confirmed the strike, but insisted it had targeted trucks carrying missiles to Hezbollah.Israeli officials confirmed the strike, but insisted it had targeted trucks carrying missiles to Hezbollah.
After the latest attack, unnamed Western intelligence sources have again said the target was a weapons cache heading for Lebanon.After the latest attack, unnamed Western intelligence sources have again said the target was a weapons cache heading for Lebanon.
'Horrific reports''Horrific reports'
Analysts say the air strikes are unlikely to have a major effect on the civil war in Syria.Analysts say the air strikes are unlikely to have a major effect on the civil war in Syria.
The latest reports from coastal regions around the town of Baniyas suggest dozens of Sunnis have been massacred in a campaign of sectarian cleansing.The latest reports from coastal regions around the town of Baniyas suggest dozens of Sunnis have been massacred in a campaign of sectarian cleansing.
The government said it had pushed back "terrorist groups" and restored security to the area.The government said it had pushed back "terrorist groups" and restored security to the area.
The US said it was "appalled by the horrific reports" but that it did not foresee sending US troops to Syria.The US said it was "appalled by the horrific reports" but that it did not foresee sending US troops to Syria.
However, the US is no longer ruling out supplying weapons to the rebels.However, the US is no longer ruling out supplying weapons to the rebels.
More than 70,000 people are estimated to have been killed since the conflict erupted in March 2011.More than 70,000 people are estimated to have been killed since the conflict erupted in March 2011.