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Syria: Suspected Israeli strike on Aleppo airport leaves one soldier dead

Third reported Israeli attack on Aleppo International Airport this year left the airfield out of service
Aleppo International Airport has been attacked several times by Israeli air strikes (AFP/File Photo)

The Israeli military attacked Aleppo International Airport late on Monday, according to Syrian state media, killing one soldier and leaving seven others wounded, including two civilians.

“The Israeli aggression also put Aleppo International Airport out of service,” said the Syrian state news agency, SANA.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Syrian airports in a bid to disrupt growing flights between Tehran and Damascus, which it views as a corridor to transport weapons. 

This is the third time that Aleppo International Airport has been left out of service this year with two attacks on the airport in March. 

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Israeli missile strikes have also hit the airport in the Syrian capital of Damascus at least four times this year. 

The Israeli military has made no comment following the latest attacks, a stance it has maintained following previous assaults on Syria. 

In recent years pro-Iranian militias have expanded their influence in Syria's northern Aleppo province. 

Israel has conducted hundreds of air strikes in Syria since 2011, targeting Syrian troops, Iran-backed fighters and Hezbollah.

However, attacks targeting airports and paralysing aviation have become more frequent in recent months.

At the start of this year, suspected Israeli strikes attacked Damascus international airport, putting it temporarily out of service and killing two Syrian soldiers.

Last month, at least five people were killed when suspected Israeli air strikes hit residential neighbourhoods and other locations in Damascus.

Israel began to target Damascus airport and its environs at least as early as May 2013. More Israeli raids on the airport ensued in 2014, and later in 20172018 and 2019, resulting in scores of casualties.

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