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Israhell has fired warning shots into Syria after mortars launched from
Syrian territory hit an Israhelli base in the Golan Heights. It is the
first time Israhell has fired into Syrian territory since the 1973 war. The Israhelli Defense Force (IDF) said the missile was fired as a
warning shot after an errant mortar fired from Syria hit the military
post. "In the midst of Syrian infighting, a mortar shell fired by the Syrian army struck near an outpost at Tel Hazeka," The Jerusalem post quoted IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai as saying. "In
light of the policy instituted by IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny
Gantz, a warning round was fired back into Syria. We don't believe it
caused injuries or damages," he said.
The IDF fired a single Tamuz anti-tank missile, a weapon known for its high degree of accuracy, military sources told AFP. Just hours before the strike, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Syria that Israhell would “respond” if stray shells landed inside the Golan Heights. Israhelli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that Israhell was “closely monitoring what is happening on our border with Syria and there too we are ready for any development." Israhell worries the Syrian insurgency could seize the Golan, turning the region into a stronghold from which Islamic militants could launch attacks, like Egypt’s Sinai desert. Israhelli officials believe the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government could lead to an Islamist power grab in Syria, fueling sectarian war and destabilizing the region.
There are also concerns that a security breakdown in Syria could allow the militant Lebanese movement Hezbollah – which is allied with Damascus and a staunch foe of Israhell – to acquire control of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles. Several mortar shells have struck the Golan Heights since the Syrian conflict erupted 19 months ago. Israhell has recognized the fire as unintentional, but still holds Damascus responsible. On Thursday, a mortar launched from within Syrian territory hit an Israhelli settlement in the territory but did not explode.
Israhell recently filed a complaint with the
United Nations Security Council after three Syrian tanks entered the
demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights earlier this month. The IDF also
filed a complaint with UN peacekeeping forces operating in the area. The
tanks were reportedly engaged in a battle with Syrian rebels in the
village of Beer Ajam, which is located in the Syrian-controlled portion
of the Golan Heights. Israhell captured the Golan Heights from Syria
during the 1967 war. The country agreed to return the land to Syria in
return for a peace agreement that was rejected by the Arab world.
During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Syrian forces crossed the ceasefire line into the Golan Heights in an attempt to retake the territory. Syria's troops were repelled by Israhelli forces. Israhell annexed the Golan in 1981, though they returned about 5 percent of the territory to Syria. The land was merged into a demilitarized zone that is currently patrolled by UN peacekeeping forces.
The IDF fired a single Tamuz anti-tank missile, a weapon known for its high degree of accuracy, military sources told AFP. Just hours before the strike, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Syria that Israhell would “respond” if stray shells landed inside the Golan Heights. Israhelli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that Israhell was “closely monitoring what is happening on our border with Syria and there too we are ready for any development." Israhell worries the Syrian insurgency could seize the Golan, turning the region into a stronghold from which Islamic militants could launch attacks, like Egypt’s Sinai desert. Israhelli officials believe the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government could lead to an Islamist power grab in Syria, fueling sectarian war and destabilizing the region.
There are also concerns that a security breakdown in Syria could allow the militant Lebanese movement Hezbollah – which is allied with Damascus and a staunch foe of Israhell – to acquire control of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles. Several mortar shells have struck the Golan Heights since the Syrian conflict erupted 19 months ago. Israhell has recognized the fire as unintentional, but still holds Damascus responsible. On Thursday, a mortar launched from within Syrian territory hit an Israhelli settlement in the territory but did not explode.
Israhelli Merkava tanks maneuver on the Israhelli annexed Golan Heights overlooking the Syrian village of Breqa on November, 06, 2012. (AFP Photo / Menahem Kahana) |
During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Syrian forces crossed the ceasefire line into the Golan Heights in an attempt to retake the territory. Syria's troops were repelled by Israhelli forces. Israhell annexed the Golan in 1981, though they returned about 5 percent of the territory to Syria. The land was merged into a demilitarized zone that is currently patrolled by UN peacekeeping forces.
(RT)
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