BICOM

A shell fired by a Syrian army tank landed in the Israeli northern Golan Heights yesterday, prompting a return of fire by the IDF at Syrian government positions.

The tank fire occurred last night as Syrian government soldiers were fighting rebel forces in the villages of Ufaniya and Hamidiya in the demilitarised zone.

The IDF says that the errant tank shell was stray fire emanating from the fighting. It landed in Israeli territory without causing any injuries or damage. Although Israel has been hit by unintentional fire from Syria on several occasions during the six-year civil war, last night’s incident is thought to be the first occasion in which the source of fire on Israel was a Syrian government tank.

Israel responded by striking a Syrian government position, which the IDF recorded as a direct hit. Syrian media claimed that Israeli helicopters attacked the position, causing damage but no injuries.

An IDF statement said: “The IDF will not tolerate any attack on Israel’s sovereignty or the security of its citizens, and sees the Syrian regime as responsible for what happens in its territory.”

Israel has remained firmly on the sidelines of the Syrian civil war, whilst Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently reiterated that Israel has no wish to be involved in the conflict.

However, senior Israeli military officials have admitted to periodically carrying out targeted strikes in Syria in order to prevent the transfer of arms to Hezbollah, which could be used against Israel. Syria claims that last month and in December 2016, Israeli hit the Mezzeh military airbase near the capital Damascus.

Israeli leaders have routinely warned against attempts to supply Hezbollah with advanced weaponry amid the chaos of the Syrian civil war. Hezbollah is a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al- Assad and fights alongside Syrian government forces, reportedly playing an important role in the Syrian army’s recent capture of Aleppo.