Israel bombed Aleppo and Damascus airports in pursuit of Iranian plane: Report

The Cradle, September 1, 2022 — Israel’s attacks on Syria’s two main airfields came just minutes after the same cargo plane landed in each airport.

Iranian and Israeli news agencies report that Tel Aviv’s attack of Damascus and Aleppo airports on 31 August came in response to the landing of the same Iranian cargo plane at both airfields.

According to Iran’s official Tasnim News Agency, Israel launched its first attack of the night on Aleppo airport roughly ten minutes after the plane landed in the city.

After this attack was over, the plane in question took off from Aleppo and headed for Damascus, where once again the Israeli army bombed the runway minutes after the plane landed.

Israeli news outlet Haaretz claims the cargo plane was an Iranian airliner that has been sanctioned by the US for alleged ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In an unprecedented attack, on Wednesday night Israeli missiles hit the runways of Syria’s two main airfields.

This was the first time since the beginning of the conflict that Israel targets both airports on the same night, just one hour apart.

Syrian air-defense systems in Latakia intercepted several Israeli missiles fired from the Levantine Sea, causing loud explosions in the area.

No casualties were reported from the attacks, although both airfields suffered material losses. The attack in the Syrian capital also knocked out power in several areas of the city.

Wednesday’s attack marked the second time this year that Tel Aviv targets Damascus International Airport.

On 10 June, the Israeli army launched a vicious attack on Syria’s main airfield, destroying vital sections of the runways and causing Damascus airport to go completely out of service for a period of two weeks.

According to Israeli media, the decision to destroy the airport’s runways was an attempt to deny Iran access to infrastructure that could be utilized for weapon transfers.

In view of the occupation of Iraq in 2003 and the recent occupation of Al-Tanf zone in Damascus governorate by US forces, Syrian airports have been the most reliable means of transportation employed by Iran to support resistance against Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Gaza.

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