At least 5 militia members were killed in an airstrike on Iranian-backed forces in eastern Syria, reports said.

The attack occurred on Sunday, according to the Syrian Human Rights Observatory, and as a result 5 non-Syrian fighters were killed.

In the airstrike three military vehicles belonging to the pro-Iranian paramilitary militia located around the city of Bukemal, on the border with Iraq, were targeted.

The Observatory said Israel was probably responsible for the attack.

In Syria since the beginning of the civil war in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes. Israel targeted not only the Damascus forces, but also Iranian forces, Lebanon Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian forces.

Israel rarely claims responsibility for the attacks but constantly remarks that it will not allow Iran to rule in this country.

On 5 May, 14 Iranian and Iraqi fighters were killed following an airstrike in the north east of Syria. The Observatory reported that that attack also was probably carried out by Israel.