Syrian news agency removes report of Damascus air attack

State-run news outlet reported 'enemy aerial targets' near capital's international airport but later pulled the story

epa07023678 A handout photo made available by the Syria's Arab News Agency (SANA) shows a missile over the Damascus International Airport, in Damascus, Syria, 15 September 2018. According to State News Agency SANA reports, the Syrian Arab Army's air defenses responded to an alleged Israeli missile attack on Damascus International Airport and shot down a number of enemy missiles.  EPA/SANA HANDOUT  HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
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Sana, Syria's state-run news agency, reported on Sunday that the country's military intercepted targets around Damascus International Airport, but later claimed the purported attack had not happened.

“Our air defences intercepted enemy aerial targets in the vicinity of Damascus International Airport in southern Damascus,” Sana said in its initial report. The agency later removed the report from its website.

Later still, Sana quoted a source at the Damascus airport as saying “there was no attack on the airport and the air traffic is normal”.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights, a UK-based war monitor, said there had been firing near the airport.

“Several explosion sounds were heard in Damascus suburbs ... as air defences were launched,” close to the airport, it said.

The Observatory said the nature of the targets was not clear.

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