Explosions rock Syrian air base, cause disputed

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Two big explosions were reported at a military air base west of Damascus early Sunday which Syrian state media said were caused by an electrical problem, conflicting with earlier reports that the explosions were from Israeli strikes.

The explosions were clearly heard across the capital, according to pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV and pro-government activists' reports.

Activists posted photos online, showing a big ball of fire and a white plume of smoke rising from the Mezzeh air base.

The Syrian army said in a statement that the explosions were caused by a short circuit in an arms depot near the airbase.

Earlier, an official in the regional alliance backing Damascus said the blasts were caused by Israeli missiles fired from across the Golan Heights frontier between the two countries and by Syrian air defenses responding.

Israeli missiles target Syrian military facilities, May 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also attributed the blasts to Israeli strikes, which it said caused deaths and injuries.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said Syrian air defenses were triggered after the attack.

Israel has struck the same air base as well as other Syrian areas in recent months, claiming the targeted areas contain bases for Iranian fighters.

There was no immediate comment from Israel on reports of Sunday's blasts.

(Cover: Explosions hit Mezzeh air base in Syria on September 2, 2018. /Photo via Twitter)

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency