Israel strikes defence factories, research facility in Syria's Aleppo

Damascus: Israeli warplanes struck defence factories and a research institute in the southern Aleppo region of Syria, causing a series of explosions, according to local media and a war monitor.

Several explosions echoed in Al-Safira city, which is home to defence facilities, according to the local news source al-Watan Online.

The report added that the attack targeted a scientific research centre on the city's outskirts, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, confirmed at least seven large explosions, saying Israeli aircraft bombed both the Al-Safira defence factories and a research centre.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The latest raid, the observatory noted, brings the total number of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory to 498 since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in early December last year, IANS reported.

Earlier on December 30 The death toll from a powerful explosion at a Syrian weapons depot near the Adra Industrial City in rural Damascus rose to 11, with most of the casualties believed to be civilians, a war monitor reported.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and local media, search and rescue teams remain at the scene to recover bodies and clear debris.

The blast sent debris flying and caused extensive damage to the facility associated with the now-ousted Bashar al-Assad's government, Xinhua news agency reported.

Initial reports indicated at least two people were killed, but the death toll continued to rise throughout the day, IANS reported.

A video posted online showed significant destruction and multiple fatalities.

Guterres underscored that Israel and Syria must uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, which remains fully in force.

"This is a decisive moment -- a moment of hope and history, but also one of great uncertainty," the UN Chief told reporters.

The observatory said the suspected raid was part of Israel's ongoing efforts to destroy remnants of the old regime's armaments.

This incident follows a series of reported Israeli attacks on former regime-affiliated sites, as Syria's new administration consolidates power after the collapse of the previous government on December 8.