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'Israel rockets' hit Jamraya facility in Damascus 'Israel rockets' hit Jamraya facility in Damascus
(about 1 hour later)
Syrian state TV says Israeli rockets have hit a research centre on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. Israeli rockets have hit an army research centre near Damascus, Syrian state TV has reported.
Huge explosions have been heard near the Jamraya facility, which Western officials have in the past suggested is involved in chemical weapons research. Witnesses heard huge explosions near the Jamraya facility, and residents told the BBC that nearby military positions were also hit.
The site was the target of an Israeli strike in January. The Jamraya site was the target of an Israeli strike in January.
Earlier, Israeli officials speaking on condition of anonymity said that on Friday Israeli aircraft had attacked a shipment of missiles inside Syria. Earlier, unnamed Israeli officials said that on Friday Israeli aircraft had attacked a shipment of missiles inside Syria.
The missiles were believed to be destined for Hezbollah militants in neighbouring Lebanon.The missiles were believed to be destined for Hezbollah militants in neighbouring Lebanon.
The latest attacks come amid reports of massacres in a campaign of sectarian cleansing near the coastal region of central Syria.The latest attacks come amid reports of massacres in a campaign of sectarian cleansing near the coastal region of central Syria.
'Mild earthquake''Mild earthquake'
Heavy explosions shook Damascus overnight. Amateur footage posted online claimed to show the blasts at the Jamraya research centre, on Mount Qassioun overlooking Damascus.Heavy explosions shook Damascus overnight. Amateur footage posted online claimed to show the blasts at the Jamraya research centre, on Mount Qassioun overlooking Damascus.
Residents told the BBC that military bases in the area had also been hit.Residents told the BBC that military bases in the area had also been hit.
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.
Residents living near Jamraya reported feeling a "mild earthquake" just before the blast, indicating that the rockets may have hit an underground facility, Mr Ebrahim said. 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 activist group monitors human rights violations on both sides of the conflict via a network of contacts across Syria.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials on the latest explosions.There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials on the latest explosions.
"We don't respond to this kind of report," an Israeli army spokeswoman told Reuters news agency. Israeli officials have confirmed their forces have carried out two air strikes on Syrian targets this year.
Earlier, unnamed US-based Israeli officials confirmed Israel had launched an air strike inside Syria on Friday, targeting a consignment of missiles bound for Lebanon's Hezbollah. The first attack, in January, apparently targeted the Jamraya facility.
Israel has repeatedly said it would act if it felt Syrian weapons were being transferred to militant groups in the region, especially Hezbollah, the BBC's Wyre Davies, in Jerusalem, reports. The second, two days ago, targeted a consignment of missiles bound for Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Earlier this week, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon acknowledged that Israel had already launched an air strike in January against a Syrian target, identified by previous reports as the Jamraya facility.
Mr Yaalon said that the transfer of sophisticated weapons to radical militant groups like Hezbollah was a red line, and Israel had acted when it was crossed.
'Horrific reports''Horrific reports'
In a separate development, hundreds of Syrian families have fled the coastal area of central Syria amid reports of massacres.In a separate development, hundreds of Syrian families have fled the coastal area of central Syria amid reports of massacres.
Activists said that more than 100 people, including women and children, were killed in summary executions in the Sunni village of al-Bayda and the nearby coastal town of Baniyas. Activists said that more than 100 people, including women and children, were killed in the Sunni village of al-Bayda and the nearby coastal town of Baniyas.
There was fighting in the area before al-Bayda was overrun by government forces and the Alawite shabiha militia on Thursday.There was fighting in the area before al-Bayda was overrun by government forces and the Alawite shabiha militia on Thursday.
The BBC's Jim Muir reports from neighbouring Lebanon says there was a strong sectarian dimension to the reported actions. The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says there was a strong sectarian dimension to the reported actions.
Alawites, who make up about 10% of the Syrian population, have largely stayed loyal to President Assad. Alawites, who make up about 10% of the Syrian population, have largely stayed loyal to Mr Assad.
The Syrian government said it had fought 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 tackle Syria's civil war.The US said it was "appalled by the horrific reports" but that it did not foresee sending US troops to tackle Syria's civil war.
US President Barack Obama reaffirmed on Friday that clear evidence of chemical weapons would be a "game changer", but that any response would not be rushed.US President Barack Obama reaffirmed on Friday that clear evidence of chemical weapons would be a "game changer", but that any response would not be rushed.
However his administration is no longer ruling out supplying weapons to the rebels.However his administration is no longer ruling out supplying weapons to the rebels.
Syrian troops and opposition forces have been fighting around Damascus for months but with neither side gaining the upper hand. Syrian troops and opposition forces have been fighting around Damascus for months, but neither side has gained the upper hand.
More than 70,000 people 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.