AT LEAST nine people were reportedly killed by Israel’s latest missile strike against Syrian targets earlier today.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “nine Iran-backed militia fighters were killed” in the attack, close to the capital Damascus, which occurred shortly after midnight.

“Syrian air defences intercepted a sizeable number of the missiles, but many hit their targets and caused material damage,” the monitor said.

Tel Aviv often claims to be targeting Iranian forces, which it says are a threat to its territory. But they have been invited into Syria as part of the government’s fight against jihadists who have occupied vast swathes of the country.

Experts say that Israel’s continued bombardment of a sovereign territory is a breach of international law.

Critics have accused the country of launching assaults as part of its imperialist plans to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

On Sunday, Israel began a four-day military drill close to its border with Lebanon, with which it is technically still at war.

Tel Aviv’s warplanes also fly regular sorties over Lebanese territory. Earlier this month, an Israeli surveillance drone was shot down by Hezbollah fighters.