Israeli and Syrian troops clashed today along the frontier of the Golan Heights, the third time in a week that fire has gone across the de facto border (a ceasefire line established in 1974).
No injuries were reported on either side, though there was some damage to an Israeli vehicle. The incident fueled more warnings from both sides, however, and showed how easily the border troops can end up clashing under the current state of affairs.
Israeli officials insisted that one of their vehicles came under fire first, and threatened “consequences” if the incident is repeated. Syrian officials threatened “immediate and firm retaliation” to any cross-border raids.
Exactly what happened remains a matter of dispute between the two sides, with Syria claiming the vehicle they fired on crossed the ceasefire line and was destroyed, while Israeli officials insisted it only suffered minor damage, and claimed “direct hits” on Syrian targets. Syria, for its part, says Israel’s missile attacks landed near a town but didn’t hit anything.
Obviously Syria was more than justified…
I'm not entirely sure why Ditz relies on ynetnews for what 'Syria' claims–considering the fact it is an Israeli publication and all…
This is what SANA, Syria State Media, reported "Syria claimed":
DAMASCUS, SANA_ General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces said that our armed forces destroyed an Israeli vehicle entered from the occupied territories and crossed the cease-fire line towards the village of Bir Ajam.
"The village is located in the liberated area of Syrian territories where there are armed terrorist groups, " the General Command said in a statement issued Tuesday.
"Following that, the Israeli enemy fired two rockets from the occupied site of Tal al-Faras toward one of our sites in al-Zubaydiah village; no casualties reported, " the statement said.
It added that the aggression aims at raising the terrorist groups' collapsed moral due to the painful blows they received at the hands of our armed forces in more than one place, especially in al-Qsier area.
The General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces said that the blatant aggression confirms again the involvement of the Zionist entity in the ongoing events in Syria and the direct coordination with the armed terrorist gangs.
The statement stressed that any breach or an attempt to violate the state sovereignty will be responded.
It stressed that whoever thinks that he is able to test our strength, alert and readiness to maintain our dignity and sovereignty is mistaken.
http://sana.sy/eng/337/2013/05/22/483331.htm
and for more detail:
http://sana.sy/eng/21/2013/05/22/483424.htm
Be that as it may, the actual 'details' of what happened here seem somewhat irrelevant–other than the fact Syria was protecting its boarders, security, and sovereignty. What happened seems to be a "message" more than anything, and the 'message' seems to be that if there are further 'violations' of "sovereignty" by Israel–as Bibi himself even seemed to hint at the other day–there will be a response. Syria certainly doesn't seem to be "bluffing" at this point… Israel on the other hand…well…
As I said before: it seems as though 'the ball is in Israel's court'.
Obviously Syria is comfortable with it's "capabilities" and now confident of continued 'support' by its 'allies'–many not even "Shiite", 'Alawite', or even 'Muslim' for that matter–if things "escalate". The last attack by Israel earlier this month no doubt 'clarified' any uncertainties the Syrian government and its associated 'allies' may have had. The attack, as well as Israel's subsequent 'behavior'. unambiguously exposed Israel's role in all of this, as well as revealed Israel's intentions…if there were any serious lingering 'doubts' by any relevant players that is…
As mentioned: Syria seems ready to go…it seems to be up to Israel to decide whether Israel truly wants "peace" or not… The past 40 years seem to indicate Syria is serious about 'peace'. The same past 40 years seem to indicate Israel is not 'serious' about anything..
Ditz again relying on one-sided information. From the aggressor no less, as if israel was the only trust worthy source of information when it comes to the middle east.
Well that says a lot about Ditz and some of the trustworthiness of Antiwar of today as well. There are indeed two sides to this story and the corporate media conglomerates unsurprisingly dance to the israeli tune and apparently Antiwar as well. You should at least have the decency to let Syria speak for itself via Sana on their website or their English news channel via Youtube:
obumsie is at it again this time Iran hezbullah Russia China willnot allow the zionist to do what they want