IDF on high alert ahead of possible US assault in Syria

Limited call-up of reserve soldiers underway; army to hold situation assessment, decide whether to cancel leaves for troops stationed in north

Yoav Zitun|Published: 08.29.13 , 13:35

The IDF continues to prepare for the unlikely chance that Syria will attack Israel in response to a Western assault. Soldiers deployed along the Syrian and Lebanese borders as well as troops from other units were told to stay in their bases until the IDF's Operations Division holds a situation assessment in which it will be decided whether to cancel leaves.

The limited call-up of reserve soldiers is also underway. Some 1,000 soldiers serving in the Intelligence Corps, Home Front Command and the Air Force's air defense units have been mobilized.

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Iron Dome battery near Haifa (Photo: AP)

The troops include dozens of reservists from the Iron Dome's sixth battery that is scheduled to be deployed in either central or northern Israel in the coming days.

The Home Front Command did not issue any special guidelines in the wake of mounting tensions in the region. The IDF has said it is unlikely that Syria will attack Israel as a response to a possible American assault.

Nevertheless, the army is not taking any chances and has deployed an Iron Dome battery in Haifa and a Patriot battery in northern Israel.