A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments, says new government's spokesman Arnaout
world59 minutes ago
Syria has confirmed major damage including to runways at Damascus International Airport, which was closed for a second day on Saturday for repairs after Israeli air strikes.
The transport ministry said in a statement that runways were out of service.
Since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes against its neighbour, targeting government troops as well as allied Iran-backed forces and fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah group.
But rarely have such attacks caused major flight disruptions. The ministry said air traffic would remain suspended until repair work is finished and airport security can be assured.
“Civil aviation and national companies are working... to repair the sizeable damage at the airport,” the ministry said, adding a terminal building was also hit.
ALSO READ:
Syria’s official SANA news agency said the Israeli bombardment wounded a civilian.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the missile strike before dawn on Friday hit the only runway still in service at the airport, as well as several adjacent buildings. Israeli bombing last year had disabled another runway, it said.
“The runway, the control tower, three hangars, warehouses as well as reception rooms were badly damaged by the Israeli strikes,” the Observatory said.
Some of the reception rooms were used to receive Iranian officials and Hezbollah members while the warehouses stored weapons from Iran, it said.
The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources within Syria, said the strikes wounded an undetermined number of people.
Satellite images posted on Twitter by the Israeli firm ISI showed three separate areas of what it said was “extensive damage to both military and civilian runways” caused by the strikes.
The airport is in a region south of Damascus where Iran-backed groups, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, regularly operate.
The area has been repeatedly targeted by Israel, which has launched 15 aerial attacks on Syria this year alone and regularly accuses Iran of using the airport to send weapons shipments to its allies.
Syrian state media had reported that a volley of missiles was fired from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights at 4.20am (0120 GMT) on Friday.
Syria’s ally Russia strongly condemned “the provocative Israeli attack against essential civilian infrastructure”.
A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry called such attacks “an absolutely unacceptable violation of international norms”.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian spoke by phone and also condemned the attack, SANA reported.
Syria “will defend itself by all legitimate means” against Israeli attacks, Mekdad said.
On May 20, Israeli surface-to-surface missiles from the Golan Heights killed three people near Damascus, state media said at the time, quoting a military source. Those strikes targeted Iranian positions and weapon depots near Damascus, starting a fire near one of the positions close to the airport, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
While Israel rarely comments on individual strikes, it has acknowledged carrying out hundreds in Syria, which the Jewish state’s military says is necessary to prevent Iran from gaining a foothold on its doorstep.
AFP
A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments, says new government's spokesman Arnaout
world59 minutes ago
They expressed hopes for the Kingdom to showcase the rich Arab culture and hospitality again to the world
uae1 hour ago
He beat China's Ding Liren in the final match of their series in Singapore
sports1 hour ago
The record-breaking sales event saw 3,065 units snapped up, underscoring the surging demand for luxury properties in the emirate
kt network1 hour ago
The firm invites students and young professionals to join its forward-thinking team and contribute to its mission of fostering entrepreneurial growth in the UAE
kt network2 hours ago
With a voice for opera and a pen for poetry, here's how the UAE-based performer is shaping her world
entertainment2 hours ago
It is part of the ‘Plant the Emirates’ programme and the initiative honours the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan in agriculture and humanitarian work
uae2 hours ago
The latest bloodshed occurred just hours after the UN General Assembly called for an immediate ceasefire in the devastated territory
world2 hours ago