Israeli strikes kill 12 pro-Iran fighters in Syria

Beirut, Feb 6 (AFP) Israeli air strikes killed 12 pro-Iran fighters near Damascus and in sourn Syria early Thursday, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Seven foreign fighters were killed in Kiswa area south of Damascus, where Iranian and pro-Iran foreign fighters are present, Britain-based war monitor said.

Five Syrian members of a pro-Iranian group were killed in Ezra area of Daraa province, Observatory he Rami Abdel Rahman said.

A Syrian army source quoted by state news ncy SANA said air defences responded to two waves of Israeli strikes after midnight that targeted Damascus area and n positions in Daraa and jacent province of Quneitra.

source said attack wounded eight fighters, without elaborating on ir rank or nationality.

An Israeli army spokesman contacted by AFP early Thursday declined to comment on strikes.

Since beginning of Syrian conflict in 2011, Israel has carried out repeated strikes against Syrian government forces and ir allies, Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. (AFP) NSA