Israeli strikes in Syria kill 14 people

At least 14 people were killed in Israeli strikes overnight in Syria's central Hama province.

"The number of martyrs as a result of the Israeli aggression on a number of sites in the vicinity of Masiaf rose to 14 martyrs and 43 wounded, including six in critical condition," the official SANA news agency reported, as quoted by AFP.

Earlier, a Syrian military observer reported at least 7 dead.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported "intense Israeli strikes" overnight, putting the death toll at "18 people," including eight Syrian fighters. Another 32 people were wounded.

Since 2011, Israeli strikes in Syria have mainly targeted army positions and Iran-backed militants, including the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes in Syria but have repeatedly said they will not allow sworn enemy Iran to expand its presence.

Around 11:20 p.m. on September 8, the Israeli enemy carried out an airstrike from the direction of northwest Lebanon "targeting a number of military sites in the central region," Syrian media announced.

Air defenses shot down some of the missiles.

The Israeli strikes targeted the Masiaf research area in Hama province and other sites, destroying buildings and military centers.

The UK-based Centre, which relies on a network of sources in Syria, earlier said the strikes targeted sites "where pro-Iranian groups and weapons development experts are based". | BGNES