Channels

Kfir Brigade training
Photo courtesy of the IDF

Kfir Brigade chief: Situation on the ground changing

As brigade's battalions ready to redeploy in their signature sector, their commander says that single clash in West Bank can 'ignite the entire sector'

IDF forces dispersed a violent, illegal protest of nearly 200 Palestinians, who rioted in the village of Anin, west of the West Bank city of Jenin.

 

The rioters huddled near the area's security fence and hurled stones at the soldiers. The troops used crowd-control measures to break up the riot. No injuries or damage were reported.

 

Related stories:

 

The riot apparently broke out after the soldiers prevented the Palestinians from setting up a new outpost near the fence.

 

Prior to the riot, Palestinian activists held a quiet march in the area, protesting against the continued building of the security fence. The march was organized by the Prisoner Affairs Office in the Palestinian Authority.

 


(צילום: EPA)

Riot in Anin (Photo: EPA)

 

Meanwhile, the IDF has ordered Kfir Brigade battalions to redeploy in the area. The brigade will return to its West Bank sectors after a successful training period in the Golan Heights.

 

As part of its exercises, the brigade drilled more than urban warfare and joint operation with the IAF; extending its training to include filming proof that the terror groups operating in its sectors are using kindergartens and mosques as their bases of operations, as well as using the local population as human shields.

 

Kfir Brigade officers explained that the troops will be required to make obtaining such proof part of their operational goals.

 

"The trends on the ground are changing," Kfir Brigade Commander Colonel Udi Ben Muha told Ynet.

 

"There is a rise in hostile and terror activity ever since Operation Pillar of Defense and a single event can, indeed, ignite the entire sector."

 

Commenting on several recent incidents, which were filmed and caused the military great embarrassment, he said: "We know what kind of power cameras have. We've been aware of it for years. The key is ethical behavior. If you maintain that, then 100 cameras are no good.

 

"We teach the soldiers to hold their ground vis-à-vis rioters and protesters. A highly trained military force should be overwhelmed by a riot and not every incident should result in clashes.

 

"As long as the peripheral event is under control," he concluded, "There's little reason to clash with protesters. Sometimes the use of crowd-control measures can escalate the situation."

 

 

  • Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.26.13, 21:37
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment