Media outlets in Syria and Lebanon have reported that a
loud explosion was heard on Wednesday night at a Syrian military base near the
Mediterranean coastal city of Latakia.
A Syrian news agency reported that naval vessels bombarded
the base from the sea, causing heavy damage but no injuries. However, Lebanese
media reported that the Lebanese military said that Israeli Air Force planes
flew over Lebanon on Wednesday night, apparently on their way to Syria.
The Lebanese military also said that over the course of
Wednesday there had been noticeable IAF activity in both southern Lebanon and
the border region with Syria.
Eyewitnesses in Latakia said the site, located northeast
of the city, is officially characterized as a state-owned agricultural
institute.
The same eyewitnesses said that locals were aware that
secret military activities took place at the site.
"During the night, we noticed much aircraft activity," an
eyewitness told a Lebanese Al-Mustaqbal news outlet. "At a certain point, we
were woken up by the sound of blasts and we saw a large fire and many explosions
at the agricultural institute. Military and security forces arrived at the
scene, put out the flames, and closed off the entire area for kilometers."
Israel has warned that it will not permit advanced weaponry to be
transferred from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The IAF has reportedly carried
out a number of airstrikes over the past year to thwart such
transfers.