Syrian air defences intercept Israeli attack over Homs -state media

Syria's air defences early on Thursday intercepted an Israeli attack on the al Qusair area in Homs, Syrian state media reported. A Syrian military source said in a statement there was some material damage from the strike and no casualties.

Syria's air defences early on Thursday intercepted an Israeli attack on the al Qusair area in Homs, Syrian state media reported.

A Syrian military source said in a statement there was some material damage from the strike and no casualties. The Israeli military said it had no comment.

On Monday, Syria said it had intercepted an attack on Aleppo. Homs province adjoins Lebanon, where the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah group holds sway along the rugged border area.

Western intelligence sources have said Israel's stepped-up strikes on Syria since last year are part of a shadow war approved by the United States. The strikes are also part of an anti-Iran policy that in the past two years has undermined Iran's extensive military power without starting a major increase in hostilities.