Damascus, July 20 (RHC)-- Syrian air defenses on Monday intercepted a barrage of missiles fired near the capital Damascus, state media reported, in the latest wave of suspected Israeli attacks.

Sources said Israeli air raids struck a major Iranian-backed ammunition depot on the edge of the capital and Iranian fighters were reportedly killed.  State television said Israeli missiles were fired over the Syrian Golan Heights and live footage showed blasts across the skies of Damascus.

"The Israelis have targeted a major ammunitions depot.  There were several strikes and the blasts were huge.  There are reports that Iranian personnel have been killed," said Zaid al-Reys, a Syrian analyst in touch with sources on the ground.

A Syrian military spokesman was quoted as saying air defences thwarted most of the missiles that targeted southern Damascus suburbs, areas that Israel has hit in the past, before reaching their targets and inflicted only "material losses."  The blasts were so severe they were heard in the capital and shook windows of several neighborhoods there, according to residents.  

Western intelligence sources say Israel's strikes on Syria are part of a 'shadow war' approved by the United States and part of its anti-Iran policy.  Israel has acknowledged conducting many raids inside Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011.