Syria has remained taciturn regarding reports in the international media about an Israeli air strike on an arms convoy near the Lebanese border. However, the Syrian army has released a first statement on the subject admitting there had been an attack but not near the Lebanese border, allegedly in the suburbs of Damascus.
The statement said, "Israeli fighter jets violated our airspace at dawn today and carried out a direct strike on a scientific research center in charge of raising our level of resistance and self-defense." The statement gave no details about damage or injuries.
Throughout the night more and more reports emerged around the world confirming that there had indeed been an Israeli Air Force attack on a target in Syria. Reports suggest a Hezbollah convoy transporting weapons from Syria to Lebanon was attacked, despite denials by the two countries. AP confirmed the attack from two separate military sources in the region.
A source close to the Syrian rebels added details about the attack. He claimed the strike took place on the Damascus-Beirut highway, five kilometers from the border with Lebanon. The strike was allegedly on SA 17 anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile batteries. He said, "Trucks carrying sophisticated weapons to Hezbollah were attacked."
Hezbollah's official TV station denied the reports that a convoy was attacked, and a Syrian general interviewed by the channel also claimed there was no truth in reports of the strike.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 31, 2013
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