Report: Syria blames Israel for strikes in north

BEIRUT – Syria’s state news agency is reporting that Israeli missiles have hit a Syrian military base in the country’s north, inflicting material damage.

The SANA said the strikes late Sunday hit north of an air base in Aleppo province. The strikes come only days after Israel said it has targeted three Syrian military positions in response to an unmanned drone that entered its airspace from Syria.

Israel on Thursday targeted positions in the southwestern Quneitra province, near its frontier with Syria. Israel downed the drone a day earlier with a patriot missile.

There was no immediate comment from Israel on Sunday’s report.

The frequency of such attacks come amid rising tension between Israel and Iran, a main supporter of Syrian government troops.

Israel is concerned about Iran’s expanding role in Syria. It has rallied Russia, another ally of Damascus, to stem Iranian presence in Syria.