Syrian state media said Thursday an Israeli air strike sparked fires in the coastal city of Latakia.

"Anti-aircraft defence intercepted hostile targets above Latakia," SANA said.

The news agency reported "fires were triggered by the Israeli aggression" at the entrance to Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad. He is allied with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is at war with Israel.

The Israeli military, which has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria in recent years, said it would not comment on the Latakia bombardment when contacted by AFP.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said the Israeli strike "targeted a weapons depot in Latakia city".