Golan Heights: Alert level not raised at present
Assad declares he is preparing for war, but where is he really headed? Israeli officials say it is a 'clumsy diplomatic maneuver' in light of international pressure, but do not belittle statement coming from Damascus. In spite of calming messages, forces facing Syrian front feel a change: 'Issue suddenly widely discussed in security meetings'
In the meantime, in spite of the tension and the fear, no decision has been made to raise the Israel Defense Forces' alert level in the face of the Syrian front, a move which may contribute to an escalation.
However, following an instruction issued by the political echelon, all the Israeli intelligence collection means are aimed at clarifying what the Syrian president is attempting to achieve.
Under high "preparedness," the defense establishment is now talking about "being alert" on the Syrian front.
What is happening in Syrian army? (Photo: AP)
Officially, the Prime Minister's Office refused to respond to the recent Syrian remarks. Diplomatic sources estimated that Assad's statements were made in light of the heavy international pressure he has been experiencing since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and due to the assistance provided by Syria to terrorists in Iraq.
Officials in Jerusalem referred to the statements as "a clumsy diplomatic maneuver."
Israel believes Assad was encouraged by the recent war in Lebanon, but it also taught him that the IDF would respond harshly to any challenging or violations of the Israeli sovereignty.
"The recent declarations, whether on his desire for peace or on his preparedness for war, also have to do with this lesson," security officials in Israel said.
Assad, sources in Jerusalem say, is seeing the changes taking place in the region, and understands that while coalitions of moderate countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and some of the Persian Gulf countries are being built – he remains isolated, far behind.
In such a situation, he cannot rely on the support of Arab countries during a crisis with Israel. In any case, Israeli officials estimate, no Syrian move will be initiated without directly coordinating with Iran.
'IDF preparing for any possibility'
In terms of the IDF preparedness in the Golan Heights, Northern Command officials preferred to remain silent and refused to discuss the issue. However, they also attempted to convey some calming messages.
"After the recent confrontation opposite Hizbullah, a military source told Ynet, "Israel's alert against any possible threat has been raised. The IDF is preparing for any possibility, and beyond that it is not wise to elaborate."
In spite of the calming messages, defense establishment officials admitted that the alert level in the Golan Heights is higher than before the war in southern Lebanon and the issue is widely discussed in any security meeting, including those held by Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
Sources in the IDF said that it is no secret that the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and the Lebanese border were the "hot" areas to most forces and means were directed, but the Golan Heights have now entered the picture as well.
Reserve soldiers said that during the war against Hizbullah, an order was issued to use almost all means in the Golan Heights in order to prepare for any scenario. In the meantime, the war tools were returned to the hangars and the number of soldiers along the border has been reduced, but a heightened alert level has recently been felt in Division 36.
"The probability for a military confrontation against Syria is not high, and the statements being voiced there should not be translated into moves in the field so fast. We just have to stay alert," a source in the division said.
"We are mainly concerned about radical elements, who will interpret the remarks into moves in the field, or different elements who will create provocations which will heat up the area," the source added.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
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