Syria promises to no longer fire on Israel

In the message conveyed via the UN, Syrian gov’t pledges to prevent future accidental shelling of Israel

By Yoav Zitun

 

The regime in Damascus has pledged to prevent its army from accidentally firing rockets towards Israeli territories, conveying the message via the UN force charged with implementing the ceasefire between Syria and Israel, Channel 1 reported Tuesday.

Golan Heights on Tuesday – Photo: Hagai Aharon

However, officials expressed doubt that the Syrian security forces, which are fighting rebels along the border with Israel, can exercise such control. In many cases, the rebels approach the border during battles with President Bashar Assad‘s army, counting on the security forces to hold fire in order to avoid hitting Israel.

On Monday, a Syrian shell hit near an IDF post in the Golan Heights. No injuries or damage were reported. Shortly thereafter, the IDF returned fire, using tanks deployed along the border to target two D-3 mortar launchers belonging to the Syrian army. A direct hit was identified. The IDF reportedly hit two Soviet guns.

On Sunday, the IDF fired into Syrian territory for the first time since the Yom Kippur War. The IDF’s Artillery Corps fired a missile towards a post in Syria after a 120mm mortar shell landed in the eastern Golan Heights on Sunday morning.

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4305004,00.html