BEIRUT | The Syrian government says a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting troops killed four people and wounded nine others in its first comment on the incident.

Israeli soldiers load shells in their tank following the first death on the Israeli side of the Golan since the Syrian civil war erupted more than three years ago, near the Israeli village of Alonei Habashan, in the area of Tel Hazeka, close to the Quneitra border crossing in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Sunday, June 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israeli soldiers load shells in their tank following the first death on the Israeli side of the Golan since the Syrian civil war erupted more than three years ago, near the Israeli village of Alonei Habashan, in the area of Tel Hazeka, close to the Quneitra border crossing in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Sunday, June 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry also said the attacks caused extensive damage to Syrian army positions and equipment.

It said five Israeli warplanes carried out the raids, which were accompanied by mortar rounds and tank shells. It called the attack a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and accused Israel of backing rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad.

Israel says it carried out the strikes in response to a cross-border attack in which a teenager was killed. It was not clear if the attack was carried out by government forces or rebels.