Israeli airstrikes hit Syria's Latakia, fires break out

An Israeli airstrike targeting Syria's Mediterranean port city of Latakia early on October 17 sparked significant fires in the area.

Firefighters were deployed to combat the blazes, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The attack resulted in two injuries and damage to private properties, as indicated by a military statement cited by state media. Syrian state television added that the nation's air defences engaged with Israeli targets over Latakia during the incident.

Israel has been conducting strikes against Iran-linked targets within Syria for several years, with a notable increase in these operations following the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israeli territory on October 7 of the previous year.

Notably, the region where the Assad regime's forces are deployed is also known to host a presence of Hezbollah.

Israel has not issued any statements regarding the purported attack.

Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has periodically conducted strikes on military sites in Syria, focusing on Iranian-backed factions and the Syrian army.

By Aghakazim Guliyev