Syrian news agency removes report of Damascus air attack

Sana, Syria’s state-run news agency, reported on Sunday that the country’s military intercepted targets around Damascus International Airport, but later claimed the purported attack had not happened.

“Our air defences intercepted enemy aerial targets in the vicinity of Damascus International Airport in southern Damascus,” Sana said in its initial report. The agency later removed the report from its website.

Later still, Sana quoted a source at the Damascus airport as saying “there was no attack on the airport and the air traffic is normal”.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights, a UK-based war monitor, said there had been firing near the airport.

“Several explosion sounds were heard in Damascus suburbs … as air defences were launched,” close to the airport, it said.

The Observatory said the nature of the targets was not clear.

Source: Syrian news agency removes report of Damascus air attack – The National