WarSclerotic

Israeli forces on high alert in Golan Heights | The Times of Israel.

( Debka said that yesterday’s sirens were caused by the IAF setting off the air alarm.  That they happened again today backs up Debka’s claim that the attacks are continuing. – JW )

Fighting between rebel forces and Assad troops reach area near Majdal Shams; sirens sound in region as clashes get too close

An Israeli soldier looks through binoculars at a Syrian village from an army post on the border between Israel and Syrian on the Golan Heights (photo credit: AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israeli forces were on high alert in the Golan Heights Saturday, as clashes between Assad forces and rebel fighters reached areas near the Golan village of Majdal Shams, according to a report in Walla News.

The IDF is concerned about mortar shells landing in Israeli territory and cross-border shooting incidents which have increased in the past few months. Israel routinely responds to such incidents, most commonly with tank fire meant to deter further firing into its territory, even if accidental.

Israel assesses that the sirens that have sounded in the Golan Heights over the past few days were false alarms, triggered by fighting that is very close to the border.

This development comes on the heels of reports over the weekend that Israel struck a weapons shipment of advanced missiles in Syria overnight Thursday-Friday, weapons that were reportedly bound for Hezbollah. These reports were allegedly confirmed by unnamed Israeli officials to AP and Reuters, but denied by senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the IDF launched a surprise military drill in the north, with a full division and over 2,000 reserve soldiers called up to prepare for potential threats from Syria and Lebanon.

This entry was posted on May 4, 2013 at 3:08 PM and is filed under Uncategorized. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.