(Photo: agencies)

DAMASCUS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses intercepted an "enemy" missile over the central city of Masyaf on Thursday night, state TV reported.

The TV said that an explosion was heard in the sky over Masyaf in the countryside of the central province of Hama.

Citing a military source, the TV reported that the Syrian air defenses were triggered by an "enemy target" flying from northern Lebanon toward Masyaf.

The air defenses intercepted and destroyed the target in mid-air, it added.

Masyaf has repeatedly been attacked by Israeli missiles which usually target the Scientific Research Center in the city.

Late last month, Syria's state agency SANA said a military site in Masyaf was targeted by an Israeli aerial assault, causing material damage.

The Syrian government has repeatedly charged that Israel supports the "terror groups" in Syria and its repeated strikes only aim to lift the rebels' morale.

Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syria throughout the eight-year civil war, claiming they target Iran-backed militia groups such as the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Israel has vowed to prevent the military entrenchment of Iran in Syria, where Tehran supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.