Fearing terror attacks, IDF boosts forces on Syrian border
As presence of Assad's forces near Israeli border dwindles, army reinforces its dominance on Golan Heights, preparing for different scenarios, including fire on forces revamping border fence
In the meantime, the forces are focusing on providing security for contract workers building Israel's new border fence with Syria - a fence intent on providing Israeli security in a post-Assad era.
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The head of the IDF Operation Directorate has outlined a new operational plan for soldiers manning the border in wake of rebel advances towards the border region.
For now, the IDF's chief concern is gun attacks on those charged with building Israel's new border fence, much like the terror attacks plaguing workers building Israel's new Sinai-border fence with Egypt.
Watch: Rebels in demilitarized zone
The IDF has also begun installing sensitive new alarm systems, armed with a special fiber that sounds an alarm at the slightest touch.
The fighters sent to the Golan Heights are supposed to back-up Golani forces and operational artillery units actively patrolling the area.
Among the forces patrolling the border, soldiers from the IDF's most elite units can be found, as well as fighters from the IDF's Oketz Unit armed with their combative canine companions.
Watch: UN Peacekeepers released
The videos published Saturday by rebel forces, in which they can be seen on the Syrian side of the demilitarized Golan, is an additional testimony to the weakening of the Assad's forces in the region.
In one of the videos, rebel forces can be seen firing not far from the Israeli-Syrian border, specifically next to a UN sign informing visitors of the area's demilitarized status.
UN border post (Photo: AP)
In another one of the videos, the rebels are seen traveling in a vehicle within the demilitarized area. One of the rebels slams the Assad regime while conveying a message to Israel.
Peacekeepers released
"We are now in front of the occupied Golan, the blessed land sold by Hafez Assad," he says in the clip.
"For 40 years, not a single gunshot has been fired on this land. For 40 years, not a single gunshot has been fired towards Israel."
Meanwhile, the 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers that were kidnapped by Syrian rebels earlier this week have been handed over to Jordan, where they were welcomed by Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.
The peacekeepers were kidnapped near the village of Jamla in southern Syria, after rebels over-took their convoy, conditioning their release on a retreat of Assad's forces from the village.
