Syrian regime 'intercepts missile targeting Hama'

By Muhammed Akil, Alaa Aly

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Syrian regime destroyed a missile coming from northern Lebanon towards the country's western Hama province, the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said on Friday.

The regime's air defenses spotted a "hostile target" -- referring to a missile -- coming from the neighboring Lebanon towards Masyaf city, SANA reported, citing an anonymous military source.

"Our air defense system dealt with the target and destroyed it before it reached its target," the source said, without further details.

Reports did not disclose the source of the projectile.

However, SANA noted that regime defense systems had repelled hostile U.S. and Israeli missiles "many times in last years."

According to Israeli media, Masyaf city is protected by S-300 Russian batteries.

Syrian has been in turmoil since 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.