DAMASCUS, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Syrian air defenses responded to a fresh Israeli missile attack on a military position in the countryside of the Syrian capital before the break of dawn Wednesday, state news agency SANA reported.

No further details were revealed, but residents in western Damascus woke up to the rattling sound of explosions.

Other reports said the missile attack targeted the Scientific Research Center in Jamraya, west of Damascus.

The same position had been targeted by the Israelis twice before.

Some activists said the position contains arms depots used by the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Israel has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate Iranian influence in Syria or support to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.