A missile attack on a Syrian military airport in Homs province left many dead and wounded, state media reported on Monday, after the United States warned Damascus and its allies over an earlier suspected chemical attack on a rebel-held town.
State news agency SANA said several missiles struck the Tayfur airbase, also known as T4, near the city of Homs in the early hours of Monday, reports the BBC.
SANA said the strike has caused casualties, but did not give exact numbers.
The strike on the Tayfur air base came as international outrage mounts over an attack on Saturday in the rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta.
“Several missiles hit the Tayfur airport. Our air defence systems are blocking the missile attack,” SANA said.
The Syrian air defenCe system acted against the attack, destroying eight missiles before they reached their target, while others have hit the base.
SANA first said the missile strike on the Tayfur base was a “suspected US attack,” but later withdrew all reference to America.
But US officials have denied launching a missile attack.
“At this time, the Department of Defence is not conducting air strikes in Syria,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
“However, we continue to closely watch the situation and support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to hold those who use chemical weapons, in Syria and otherwise, accountable.”
The missile attack came shortly after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning over an apparent “chemical” attack in Douma, the last rebel-controlled town in an eastern suburb of Damascus.
“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” Trump wrote on Twitter, lashing out at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, a key ally of the regime.
“President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)