- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Syrian Airbase in Homs Province Hit by Missile Attack

© Sputnik / Iliya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankA Su-22 fighter jet at the Syrian Air Force base in Homs province
A Su-22 fighter jet at the Syrian Air Force base in Homs province - Sputnik International
Subscribe
A T-4 airbase in the Syrian province of Homs has been hit by a missile strike, local media reported, suspecting the United States. However, Pentagon did not confirm the reports of involvement.

A Syrian T-4 airbase in the Homs province has been hit by rocket fire, according to SANA news. According to the agency, the strike caused casualties. It was also reported that the Syrian Air Defense Force opened fire on the upcoming missiles and intercepted several.

An informed source told Sputnik on Monday that the Syrian Air Defense Force shot down the missiles. "The Syrian Air Defense Force has destroyed a few missiles, which attacked the T-4 air base. The missiles fell in the vicinity of the airfield," the source said.

In contradiction with SANA news' reports, the source said that there were no casualties as a result of a missile strike, and the airbase did not suffer any material damage.

READ MORE: WATCH Alleged Footage of Missile Strike on Syrian Airbase in Homs

There is an unconfirmed footage circulating on social media which allegedly shows unidentified jets flying over Lebanon toward Syria.

French President Emmanuel Macron greets U.S. President Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 13, 2017. - Sputnik International
Trump, Macron Agree on Joint Response to Alleged Chemical Attack in Syria
There was no immediate confirmation on the origin of the objects or whether they were airplanes or missiles. This is also still not clear who's behind the attack.

According to Syria’s SANA news agency, the attack might have been carried out by the United States.

However, a Pentagon representative told Sputnik that the US Defense Department is aware of the alleged US missile strike, but did not confirm the reports.

"We are aware of the reports, we have nothing to confirm," a Pentagon representative said commenting on the reports of the US involvement in the attack.

A child runs along a street in front of clouds of smoke billowing following a reported air strike on Douma, the main town of Syria's rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta - Sputnik International
NATO vs Syria, Russia, Iran: Damascus Again Accused of What Has Yet to Be Proven
Pentagon later said in a statement that it is not carrying out airstrikes on Syria, denying the reports of the US attack. "At this time, the Department of Defense is not conducting air strikes in Syria. However, we continue to closely watch the situation and support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to hold those who use chemical weapons, in Syria and otherwise, accountable," the Pentagon’s statement reads. A source close to US administration  also confirmed to Sputnik that US is not conducting military operations against Syria.

Israel military, which already bombed the T-4 airbase in February, refused to give any comments to Sputnik about the airstrike on the facility. In turn, Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen broadcaster reported that the missiles were coming from the Mediterranean Sea through Lebanon.

READ MORE: Israeli Spy Jet Seen Over Syrian Airbase Struck by Missiles — Reports

The French military has issued a statement, saying that it hadn't conduct a strike on the base.

President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. (File) - Sputnik International
Trump Slams Putin, Iran for Backing "Animal Assad" Amid Chemical Attack Claims
The attack comes just a day after the US, the EU, as well as NATO member Turkey, have accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, after media reports, citing militant sources on the ground, about an alleged chlorine gas attack that, supposedly, killed dozens of civilians, had emerged. Damascus has strongly denied the claims, saying that it had warned that militants in the area had been preparing a provocation, involving chemical weapons' use.

Russia and Iran have slammed the claims, they believe are baseless, which had been spread by such controversial NGOs as the White Helmets, which has been busted of faking its reports, and warned against using the alleged chemical attack as a pretext for a militarty action against Damascus.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала