update desk

Syrian state media claims it shot down missile attack on bases, US denies involvement

One of the bases was targeted by American forces last year following a chemical-weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces in Khan Shaykhun.

The “USS Monterey” guided missile-cruiser fires a Tomahawk missile in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations against Syria over its use of chemical weapons, April 13, 2018. Credit: Navy Photo by Lt. j.g Matthew Daniels.
The “USS Monterey” guided missile-cruiser fires a Tomahawk missile in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations against Syria over its use of chemical weapons, April 13, 2018. Credit: Navy Photo by Lt. j.g Matthew Daniels.

Syrian state media reported that it had shot down a missile attack on two of its bases early on Tuesday.

One of those bases was targeted by American forces last year following a chemical-weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces in Khan Shaykhun. The United States, however, has denied any involvement.

Although the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit has not commented on the attack, no evidence has surfaced implicating Israel in the attack.

Initial report attributed the attack to fighter jets.

On Monday, a senior IDF official confirmed in an interview with The New York Times that the attack on the T-4 military base last week was carried out by Israel, with the goal of destroying Iranian installations and hitting military personnel.

However, just hours after the article was published, the Times’s senior analyst edited the article to state that the IDF rejected the report, stating Israel does not comment in foreign publications.

The IDF has deployed increased air and ground forces in the Golan Heights to be ready for Iranian or Syrian reprisals.

The United States, France and Britain bombed Syrian targets over the weekend, with U.S. President Donald Trump stating that the attacks were in response to Assad’s chemical attacks on the rebel-controlled town of Douma, which killed at least 40 people, including children, and injured hundreds more.

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