WarSclerotic

In the shadow of ongoing northern tensions, the IDF launched a large-scale surprise drill and called up 2,000 reserves to the North on Sunday evening to test its ability to quickly engage Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The drill, which will involve live-fire exercises, is aimed at testing the army’s readiness and operational flexibility, a senior military source said.

It is the first exercise held on this large a scale for several years, and comes amid tensions with Hezbollah and ongoing instability in neighboring Syria.

The US is reportedly considering the possibility of intervening in Syria following reports of chemical weapons use by the Assad regime. On Sunday, an Iranian official threatened that any intervention in Syria would result in attacks on Israel.

“Reality forces us to prepare these abilities,” the source said. “The reserves understand this,” he added. “The scenario involves Lebanon, but it could also be Syria,” he added.

Over the past 24 hours, the IDF’s Etgar (Challenge) Formation, a part of IDF Northern Command, began calling up the reserves without prior warning. After being called up, the reserves were told that their mission had changed, and that they had to deploy accordingly within 48 hours.

During the drill, soldiers from the infantry brigade will embark on a brigade-wide life-fire exercise.

“There’s a need for high alert, via a surprise drill. This is a part of our training system,” the source said.

The scenario at the heart of the drill involves a sudden escalation with Hezbollah, leading to ground maneuver inside Lebanon.

The exercise will last until Thursday.

Last week, a drone took from Lebanon and attempted to infiltrate Israeli air space near Haifa, before being shot down by an IAF F-16 fighter jet.

In February a tank battalion from the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade completed an extensive war drill on the Golan Heights. The 9th Eshet Battalion, made up of Israel’s most advanced tank, the Merkava Mark 4, practiced combat situations involving potential northern fronts, as well as dealing with multiple casualties.

At the same time, the infantry brigade also completed a major war drill on the Golan Heights in February, simulating a surprise development. All Brigade soldiers were suddenly mobilized to the Golan to test their readiness and ability to join a battle quickly.

“We are on the highest alert now to carry out any mission,” Lt.-Col. Oshik Azulai, commander of the infantry’s 932nd “Granite” Brigade said at the time.

In September 2012, the IDF held a surprise drill and practiced a rapid mobilization of Artillery Corps units from the West Bank to the the North.