Monday, September 25, 2006

MENL: Syria preparing for war?

I don't know how credible this report is, but this is a major development if true:
Syria, buoyed by Hizbullah's success against Israel, has ordered his military to prepare for a regional war with the Jewish state.

Israeli intelligence sources said Syrian President Bashar Assad has ordered a series of measures meant to bolster the preparedness of his military. The sources cited increased training, exercises, procurement as well as an examination of Israeli ground and air battles in Lebanon in July and August.

"We see signs of a new strategy in the Syrian military based on the lessons from the Hizbullah war," an intelligence source said. "It could take months until the picture becomes clearer."

The sources said the Intelligence Corps has detected Syrian activities in the Golan Heights that could mark preparations for another war. They said Syria appeared to be planning to bring people to the Golan to serve as a human shield during any conflict with Israel.
(Speaking of Assad, Der Spiegel has this interview. h/t: Tikkun Olam)

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