Damascus, 22 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Israeli strikes on airports in Damascus and Aleppo have put them out of service and killed one worker, Syrian state media reported on Sunday.

One airport employee was killed at the Damascus airport and another was injured, the state-run Syrian News Agency (SANA) said, citing a military source.

SANA said the early Sunday missile attacks were simultaneous and that material damage had been done to the runways.

The Syrian Transport Ministry said all incoming flights to both Damascus and Aleppo were diverted to Latakia International Airport.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the attacks and said it was the third time in 10 days that Aleppo airport had been hit by Israel.

The Israeli military did not comment on the reports.

But Israel has accused Iran of delivering weapons to militant groups active in Syria via incoming flights at the airports.

Iran has been a main backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising started against his rule in 2011. 

Israel regularly bombs targets in neighbouring war-torn Syria in an effort to prevent arch-rival Iran from expanding its influence there.