Syria's news agency SANA announced earlier today that the death toll from last night's Israeli occupation's aggression on Masyaf, located in the countryside of the province of Hama, has reached 16 with 43 others injured, and some in critical condition.

According to Al Mayadeen's sources, among the martyrs were five members of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) with the other 11 martyrs being all civilians. The sources also confirmed that no Iranian consultants or Hezbollah members were martyred in the attack.

The director of Masyaf National Hospital, Dr. Fayssal Haidar, updated the toll later in a statement to SANA, saying, “The number of martyrs from the Israeli aggression on several sites in Masyaf area has risen to 18, in addition to 37 injuries, six of whom are in critical condition."

Moreover, Al Mayadeen's sources denied Israeli allegations that the occupation targeted a chemical weapons research facility, stressing that the target was a military facility belonging to the SAA. Further denying Israeli occupation claims, the sources confirmed that the SAA does not use chemical weapons because they are internationally banned, not to mention that they are unsuitable for modern warfare.

بكل فخر وأعتزاز تزف أرض الشام معراج الشهداء، شهدائها الأبطال على طريق القدس:
- عبد الله بسام قهوجي..
- احمد علي الفرق..
- مجد أحمد الراشد..
- عزيز احمد مرهج..
- رائد أحمد العلي..
-منهل محمد شاهين..
- تميم عادل يوسف..
- حسن أحمد ونوس..
- محمد أحمد عيسى..
-حسين علي ديوب.. pic.twitter.com/dZYh6hSFnr

— هشام 🇸🇾🇵🇸 (@HN_SPH_) September 9, 2024

In turn, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani condemned the Israeli occupation's breach of Syrian sovereignty stressing it constitutes a "continuation of the Zionist entity's aggression against Gaza, Lebanon and Syria" as well as "a continuation of its insane policies to expand war in the region."

Additionally, Kanaani emphasized, "We deny the reports in Israeli media about targeting Iranian sites in Syria."

Likewise, the Political Bureau of the Yemeni Ansar Allah Movement condemned the Israeli aggression on Syria, stressing that it "constitutes a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and international laws."

"The abandonment of the Palestinian people in Gaza by many Arab and Islamic regimes has encouraged the enemy entity to further persist and act in a violent manner," the Bureau said in a statement.

In this context, the Ansar Allah Movement announced "full solidarity with the Syrian government and the brotherly Syrian people" and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

The statement also stressed "Syria's legitimate right to respond to this crime and any other violations targeting Syrian territory," calling on "Arab and Islamic countries to break the circle of silence and move toward collective action to confront Israeli-American terrorism."

'Israel' bombs Syria with a series of airstrikes

The Israeli occupation launched at least 15 airstrikes across several cities in Syria overnight, including Damascus, Homs, Hama, and Tartus.  

Syria's SANA news agency reported at least 15 injuries and four martyrs due to the Israeli aggression that has targeted the vicinity of Masyaf in the Hama countryside. 

The Israeli aggression also caused major damage on the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun route, which in turn led to a raging fire. SANA reports that firefighting teams are working to contain it. 

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Syria had also reported the sounding of six explosions in the vicinity of Masyaf and the western Hama countryside, noting that Syrian Air Defenses intercepted and confronted Israeli missiles launched towards Tartus and the western Hama countryside. 

The missiles were reportedly launched from across the Lebanese south toward eastern and northern Syria. 

Two weeks ago, seven civilians were injured as a result of Israeli aggression that targeted several sites in the central region. The Syrian air defenses intercepted the aggression's missiles and shot some of them down.

Read more: Iran, Syria cooperation to contribute to 'Israel' defeat: Iran MoD