Saturday 13 July 2013 - 09:40

Israel behind explosions in Syria's Latakia: Israeli media

Story Code : 282630

US officials have reportedly confirmed that Israeli fighter jets on July 5 bombarded a Syrian arsenal containing advanced Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, citing the CNN.

“Israel launched the July 5 strike in order to hit the Russian-made missiles, which Israel believed pose a threat to its forces,” a report from another Israeli media outlet read.

Last week, Syrian opposition sources had reported the presence of fighter jets in the skies of the city of Al-Haffah, east of Latakia.

The Syrian government has not yet provided information on who has been behind the Latakia blasts. The Israeli regime has not commented on the media reports, either.

Israel is already believed to have been involved in at least three airstrikes against Syria since January.

Following the last of the previous Israeli attacks, the Syrian government warned that it would give an immediate response to any possible future aggression by the Israeli regime.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said in an interview with Lebanese TV station al-Mayadeen on May 29 that any response from Damascus will be given without a warning.

“Syria will not let any Israeli aggression go unanswered without retaliation. The retaliation will be the same size as the aggression, and the same type of weapons will be used,” the Syrian foreign minister stated.

Also in May, Syria’s Foreign Ministry sent letters to the United Nations stating that Israel’s aggressions show the link between Tel Aviv and the terrorist groups operating in Syria, including the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.

The foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, since March 2011.

Western powers and their regional allies including the Israeli regime, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are supporting the anti-Syria militant groups, including al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, to overthrow the Syrian government.