Early Morning Strike Ignites Fires in Latakia

An Israeli strike in the Syrian port city of Latakia led to fires, injuries, and property damage. Syrian air defenses responded to the assault. This marks an intensification of Israeli attacks on Iran-linked targets in Syria following last year's Hamas attack on Israeli territory.

An early morning Israeli strike targeted the Mediterranean port city of Latakia in Syria, igniting multiple fires, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.

Firefighters rushed to the scene to contain the blazes that ensued. The attack left two individuals injured and caused damage to private properties, state media confirmed, referencing a military statement.

Reports from Syrian state television indicated that the country's air defenses engaged Israeli targets over Latakia. The strike forms part of an ongoing pattern of Israeli air raids against Iran-linked positions in Syria, a campaign that has intensified since a Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7 of the previous year.

(With inputs from agencies.)