An Israeli air strike targeted the Syrian capital Damascus on Tuesday, April 4, state media reported, the 4th such attack on government-held areas of the war-torn country since last Thursday. The strikes killed 2 civilians, caused some material damage according to a military source. Residents report hearing strong explosions in Damascus and its southern suburbs, writes Le Monde.

During more than a decade of civil war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

“Our air defense intercepted hostile targets in the Damascus airspace”, state news agency SANA said, referring to the Israeli missiles. It had earlier reported “an explosion heard in the vicinity of Damascus”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that “Israeli missiles targeted the area of the Damascus International Airport, an Iranian complex near the Sayyidah Zeinab area”, and another location in al-Kiswah. Syria’s air defence intercepted at least two missiles, the Observatory said.