News
Israel downs drone over Golan as Jihadists threaten border
Israel’s air force shot down a drone yesterday over the Syrian border and last night Islamists launched a mortar and gunfire at the Israeli Golan Heights.
Border tensions increased last week after Syrian opposition forces captured the Quneitra border crossing with Israel, although Syrian government forces reportedly launched strikes in an attempt to recapture the position. The rebel forces apparently included units from the Western-backed Free Syrian Army and the Al-Nusra Front, giving the Al-Qaeda affiliated organisation a presence on Israel’s border. Two Israelis were injured in what appeared to be errant fire, a not uncommon occurrence during the past few months.
Towards the end of last week, Al-Nusra forces underscored their presence, forcibly seizing around 40 Fijian United Nations peacekeepers, who remain Al-Nusra captives. Another 70 or so Filipino peacekeepers were also trapped in the area as heavy clashes took place with Al-Nusra fighters. The Filipino peacekeepers eventually dramatically escaped and are thought to have made their way over the Israeli border with some media reporting that they received support from the IDF.
Meanwhile, using a surface-to-air Patriot missile, Israel’s Air Force yesterday shot down what was thought to be a Syrian army drone which strayed into Israeli air space, having been launched in the Quneitra region. However, Hezbollah, which is a close ally of Syria’s President Assad, is also known to possess drones. An IDF statement said it would “not tolerate a breach of the State of Israel’s sovereignty.” Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon warned that that Israel would not abide any “attempt to harm our civilians and soldiers in the North, whether deliberate or accidental.”
Later yesterday evening, a mortar shell was fired from Syria which landed in Israel. This was followed by bursts of gunfire which appeared to be aimed at reporters and United Nations peacekeepers. No injuries or damage was reported. However, the NRG news website reported that the Al-Nusra Front claimed responsibility for the incident.