Nine killed as Israel strikes Syria military bases

 The provincial government in southern Syria's Daraa said nine civilians were killed and several injured in Israeli bombardment following an "Israeli incursion".

The shelling near the city of Nawa came after an "Israeli incursion, with "the occupation forces advancing for the first time to this depth", it said in a statement posted to Telegram.

Israel launched airstrikes on military airbases and infrastructure sites in the Syrian cities of Damascus, Hama and Homs on Wednesday, the Israeli military said.

The attack almost completely destroyed the Hama military airport and led to dozens of injuries among civilians and military personnel, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement.

On Thursday, the Israeli military said it killed several armed fighters during the overnight raid in the Tasil region of southern Syria. Israeli troops came under fire during the mission and responded with ground and aerial strikes.

Israel and Syria have seen an increase in violence along the border after a new Islamist-led leadership was installed in Syria following Assad's ouster from power.

Syria's leadership has said it does not intend to open a front against Israel.

Israel spent years carrying out airstrikes on Syria during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad, targeting Iran-linked military installations and weapons transfers from Tehran intended for the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which was deployed in Syrian territory.

Agencies