Israel responds to mortar fire from Syria

TheCommandTent · November 11, 2012, 05:50:48 PM

QuoteIsrael was drawn into the Syrian civil war for the first time on Sunday, firing warning shots into the neighboring country after a stray mortar shell fired from Syrian territory hit an Israeli military post.

The Israeli military said the mortar fire caused no injuries or damage at the post in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and then annexed. But in recent weeks, incidents of errant fire from Syria have multiplied, leading Israel to warn that it holds Syria responsible for fire on Israeli-held territory.

"A short while ago, a mortar shell targeted an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) post in the Golan Heights," said army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. "We answered with a warning shot toward Syrian areas. We understand this was a mistake and was not meant to target Israel and then that is why we fired a warning shot in retaliation."

The Israeli military also said it has filed a complaint through United Nations forces operating in the area, stating that "fire emanating from Syria into Israel will not be tolerated and shall be responded to with severity."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/11/israel-fires-warning-shot-into-syria-after-stray-mortar-hits-golan-heights/?test=latestnews#ixzz2BxP0zuvb

Either someone in Syria doesn't know how to aim their mortars or they were just bored with bothering Turkey. :o

Do you think this was an accident or a ploy to try and get some help from Iran should Israeli respond any more?

Mr. Bigglesworth · November 11, 2012, 06:49:20 PM

Random intentional incompetence. Lets lob shells over there...

LongBlade · November 11, 2012, 06:54:16 PM

The Israelis will only intervene when they think it pertinent. Otherwise they will respond with nothing more than an appropriate response. Like this.

MIGMaster · November 11, 2012, 07:13:51 PM

I'd luv to see a nice precision attack on the leadership to let Mr. Assad know his days are numbered. It seemed to get Khaddfi's attention and calm him down for a while.

LongBlade · November 11, 2012, 08:07:49 PM

Watching TV a couple of days ago it appeared some rebels were shelling one of Assad's palaces. Seems to me he may already have received that memo.

LongBlade · November 12, 2012, 09:23:06 AM

This relates to Gaza, not Syria, but may be of interest.

2nd day of air strikes against targets in Gaza after rocket attacks were launched.

QuoteIsraeli airstrikes hit Palestinian targets in Gaza overnight, scoring direct hits on a "terror tunnel" and a weapons storage facility, the military said Monday.

A military representative said militants have launched more than 110 rockets since Saturday.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel," an Israel Defense Forces statement said. "The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip."

source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/12/world/israel-gaza/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

LongBlade · November 12, 2012, 09:30:16 AM

And on the Syrian side of the border...

QuoteThe military says that Israeli tanks opened fire on targets in Syria on Monday after the mortar round landed in an open area in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

Israeli military officials say "Syrian mobile artillery" was hit. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity under military guidelines, gave no further details.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/12/israel-fires-at-syria-for-second-consecutive-day/

Tpek · November 12, 2012, 11:58:34 AM

Yeah, this place's going to war... :P

In the south, Hamas continuously strikes from Gaza, hitting military forces at first, and then bombarding houses with rockets and artillery.

In the north, Assad has brought tanks into the DMZ in the Golan (a huge breach of the cease-fire treaty), and soon forces patrolling along the border were fired upon
by the Syrians. Next several mortar shells landed in in various places (military base, a town, etc...) prompting retaliatory fire from the IDF.
And the Syrian rebels ("Free Syria Army") has already started making threats about attacking us.

So far only in the center there's somewhat peace, with Palestinian president Abbas's reluctance to resort to violence and the IDF presence in the West Bank.
But who knows how long this semi-peace will last...

The Puss · November 12, 2012, 05:02:06 PM

Quote from: Tpek on November 12, 2012, 11:58:34 AM

And the Syrian rebels ("Free Syria Army") has already started making threats about attacking us.

Disappointed but not surprised. Is this a ploy to win more local support because no way can the rebels make good on that threat at present or in the near future. Even a possible overture to Iran, ditch the doomed, embrace the "new" and keep the status quo.

Tpek · November 14, 2012, 11:02:32 AM

Quote from: The Puss on November 12, 2012, 05:02:06 PM
Quote from: Tpek on November 12, 2012, 11:58:34 AM

And the Syrian rebels ("Free Syria Army") has already started making threats about attacking us.

Disappointed but not surprised. Is this a ploy to win more local support because no way can the rebels make good on that threat at present or in the near future. Even a possible overture to Iran, ditch the doomed, embrace the "new" and keep the status quo.

Just to point out that Al-Qaeda is one of the topmost leading factions amongst the rebels...

LongBlade · November 14, 2012, 11:03:57 AM

Quote from: Tpek on November 14, 2012, 11:02:32 AM
Quote from: The Puss on November 12, 2012, 05:02:06 PM
Quote from: Tpek on November 12, 2012, 11:58:34 AM

And the Syrian rebels ("Free Syria Army") has already started making threats about attacking us.

Disappointed but not surprised. Is this a ploy to win more local support because no way can the rebels make good on that threat at present or in the near future. Even a possible overture to Iran, ditch the doomed, embrace the "new" and keep the status quo.

Just to point out that Al-Qaeda is one of the topmost leading factions amongst the rebels...

Yeah. I'm not sure there are many "good guys" over there. Just choices between worse and worser.

MIGMaster · November 14, 2012, 11:53:09 AM

Things look they are heating up:

http://www.aljazeera.com/

LongBlade · November 14, 2012, 01:22:55 PM

I heard a rumor that we've now got an ongoing military exercise in Jordan.

This does not bode well.

MIGMaster · November 14, 2012, 03:15:22 PM

Just counting the days 'til 21 2012......

Barthheart · November 14, 2012, 03:34:33 PM

Israel is playing for keeps....

Israel military: Hamas assassination is beginning of an operation against Gaza militants

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/israel-military-hamas-assassination-beginning-operation-against-gaza-151912448.html

EDIT: I'm leaving on Saturday.... just hope it stays "calm" in the middle til then.