Syrian air defense systems foiled an Israeli missile attack in northern Syria's Aleppo province, Syrian official press reported on Monday (May 4th).

"The Syrian air defenses have intercepted an Israeli aggression against a research center in Aleppo province," said Sana. Citing a military source, Sana then assured that the intercepted missiles were aimed at several "military depots" in the Al-Safira region, southeast of the city of Aleppo.

The raids caused "violent explosions" in the area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH), which said they were targeting arms depots belonging to pro-Iranian militias. No casualties were immediately reported.

Fifth attack in two weeks

A few minutes after the attacks, fighter planes struck pro-Iranian militia positions in the Mayadin desert in eastern Syria, the OSDH reported. It was not immediately possible to establish responsibility for the attacks, but the Observatory said they "probably" came from Israel.

The IDF declined to comment. If these strikes were confirmed, it would be Israel's fifth attack in Syria in two weeks.

Sources in Western intelligence say Iran-backed militias have long been established in the Aleppo region, where they have bases and a command center, as well as advanced weapons .

Israel has admitted in recent years that it has carried out multiple air strikes in Syria against a growing Iranian presence that the Hebrew state considers a strategic threat.

With Reuters and AFP

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