Israel Matzav

IDF fires warning shot into Syria

It's been nearly 40 years since the last time Israel fired a shot into the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Until today.

"In the midst of Syrian infighting, a mortar shell fired by the Syrian army struck near an outpost at Tel Hazeka," IDF spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai said. The shell failed to cause injuries or damages.

"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," Mordechai added.
At the same time, Israel sent a warning message to the UN, saying that any further firing into Israel will result "in a real response," sources added.

Israel limited its return fire, since its policy is to only fire intensively in response to coming under major Syrian fire. "We didn't continue firing because this was one mortar we were responding to," the source said.

"We will not accept any firing into our territory," he added. "This was a signal to the Syrians, that we will not be so forgiving of everything that lands in a territory." The source stressed that as of now, Israel and Syria were not a in a conflict situation.

The IDF is currently on standby for a security deterioration on both the northern front and the border with Gaza.

I'm not sure our government gets it. Assad doesn't care whether errant shells fall in Israel. He trusts that we won't go to war over them, and he's willing to take some casualties over them if he has to due to our limited responses. All he cares about is his own survival.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Golan Heights, Syrian uprising

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:06 PM