Russia accuses Israel of missile strike on Syrian airbase

Syria and Russia accused Israel on Monday of carrying out an overnight missile strike on a Syrian regime airbase near the city of Homs.

The Russian military said in a statement that it identified two Israeli F-15 jets which it alleges carried out the attack from Lebanese airspace, firing a total of eight missiles at the Tiyas airfield of which five were supposedly shot down by Syrian air defence systems.

Israel has previously targeted sites in Syria and has not yet commented on the incident, which is believed to have killed 14 members of Iran-backed groups.

The Israeli government has previously accused Damascus of allowing Iran to supply weapons to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and launch drones into its airspace from the site.

Syrian state television had earlier reported that the attack was "most likely" American.

The incident follows the international outrage sparked by an alleged chemical attack on the Syrian rebel held town of Douma, for which American President Donald Trump said there would be a "big price to pay" after accusing Russia, Iran and Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime of involvement.

Activist groups said barrel bombs containing toxic gas were dropped from helicopters over the town, while footage shot by rescuers shows dead and dying civilians, including children, suffocating and foaming at the mouth.

Syrian state television claimed on Sunday that an agreement had been reached with rebel forces in Duoma which would see members of the sole remaining rebel group, Jaish al-Islam, leave the town in the next 48 hours.

Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to "co-ordinate a strong, joint response" to the alleged chemical attack in a joint statement on Sunday.

However, both nations denied any involvement in the strike against the Tiyas airbase.

Trump has already shown a willingness to use force against the Assad regime as he responded to a poison gas attack with the offensive launch of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Syrian targets almost one year ago.