Israeli Fighter Jet Image by Getty Images

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Syrian military accused Israel of firing on its positions near Damascus, calling it a “new Israeli aggression.”

“This morning, Israeli warplanes fired several missiles from Lebanese airspace on one of our military positions in the Damascus countryside,” Syria’s army said in a statement broadcast on state media. “Our air defense systems blocked them and destroyed most of them.”

The Al-Arabiya network, citing sources close to the Syrian government, reported that the target of the attack was the Center for Scientific Research in the Jamaraya region, located on the outskirts of the capital.

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The Israeli military did not comment on reports of the attack, which is its standing policy. The Israeli military reportedly struck Syrian military targets twice during December and once during January, but typically did not confirm the reports. Israel reportedly has carried out dozens of airstrikes on Syria’s army and their allies since 2011.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Security Cabinet visited the Golan Heights and inspected Israel’s border there with Syria amid rising tensions between Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon.

“We want peace but we are prepared for any scenario and I suggest that no one test us,” Netanyahu said in a statement at the end of the visit.

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