Israel and Syria on alert

[Smurf-Herder]

Israel fears Syrian army moves may signal Hezbollah attack
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/971398.html

"One of the possible explanations for the Syrian actions is that Damascus is aware of Hezbollah's plans to carry out a revenge attack against Israel for what it claims is Jerusalem's responsibility in the assassination of terrorist mastermind Imad Mughniyah in February.

According to defense sources in Israel, the Syrians are preparing for the likelihood that Israel's response to a Hezbollah attack will be severe and may result in a regional confrontation.

Senior political sources told Haaretz that Syria and Hezbollah are in close and constant coordination. They say that Hezbollah will not carry out an offensive operation against Israel without Syria being fully updated on the group's plans."

"The report noted that the Syrian army is carrying out extensive exercises and that it has called up some reserves for a possible confrontation.

Syria also deployed three armored divisions, special forces and nine infantry brigades near the border in an area near Lebanon's Beka'a Valley, because of concerns that Israel may attack through its flanks, the newspaper reported"

Barak cancels trip; Syria warns of attacks
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/04/03/barak_cancels_trip_syria_warns_of_attacks/7570/

"JERUSALEM, April 3 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak canceled a trip to Germany because of anticipated provocation from Syria on the death of a Hezbollah leader, sources said.

Barak called off his trip because he expects Syria to release findings of its inquiry into the assassination of Hezbollah leader Imad Mughniyeh and use the report findings to put the terrorist group into a position where it must react to his death, reported DEBKAfile.com, a military intelligence Web site.

Syria has held Israel responsible for Mughniyeh's death in an explosion in February.

Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet Wednesday examined the country's war preparedness, also deciding to redistribute bio-chemical masks, the Web site reported. Military sources said intelligence indicated Syria could transfer to Hezbollah chemical or biological warheads.

Military leaders in Damascus were quoted as claiming Israel was preparing to attack Syria and Hezbollah and had ordered a partial call-up of its military reserves, said DEBKAfile.com, based in Jerusalem."

[Smurf-Herder]

While back in Lebanon ...

Security forces on high alert against any possible violence
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=90572

"BEIRUT: Amid fears that the security situation will deteriorate and violence will erupt after the Arab summit ended without achieving a breakthrough in Lebanon, security sources told The Daily Star on Wednesday that Lebanese security authorities were in a state of readiness in anticipation of possible security developments."

"The security sources said the Lebanese Army was watching the movement of Syrian troops along the Lebanese-Syrian border after Syria allegedly deployed three brigades on the border with Lebanon."

"The sources said the Lebanese Army was also keeping any eye on the areas of Qosaya and Halwa in the Western Bekaa, where the Syrian-backed Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) runs military training camps.

"After voices of explosions were repeatedly heard in the past days in the vicinity of the camps, security reports uncovered that militants were training inside a tunnel network," the sources said, adding that the tunnel network connects Lebanese and Syrian territories."

[Smurf-Herder]

In a nutshell:

Mideast countries prepare for war
http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/04/03/mideast_countries_prepare_for_war/3655/

"Observers say that the antagonists are preparing for this scenario that appears to be unfolding: Israel is waiting for Hezbollah to strike first; Syria, as Hezbollah's supporter, expects to be attacked by Israel and intends to fight back; and Iran is ready to provide military backing for its allies; meanwhile, the United States is unlikely to leave its Israeli ally to fight alone against what the U.S. President George W. Bush has called the "axis of evil."

[Bill]

All things considered, it wouldn't be all that big of a deal.

Maybe a little embarrassing for Rice and Cheney. But nobody was taking their state visits and peace talk very seriously.

It would be interesting to see how hezbo vs israel round 2 went.

[bigfootzx]

Hezbollah and Hamas should be captured or exterminated. The US should sit on the sidelines and stop trying to calm down the fights. Every cool down leads to more attacks on the Israelis. Let the Jews shock and awe the monsters into oblivion.

Let the Jews police the region as they see fit, our interference will escalate the matters and it gives Hezbollah futher cause to plot against the USA. Thousands of years and the fight continues.

[Moby]

We may not like it but Hamas was democratically elected by providing health care, food, shelter and education to the people. Bush keeps saying that the USA supports democracy of all kinds.

1. Hamas is a terrible organization and needs to be dealt with.
2. We should take a minute and learn how Hamas got the people on their side. It could have lead to a victory in Iraq instead of a failure.
3. We do NOT support democracy of all kinds and we should not.

[Smurf-Herder]

My whole point in this thread and others concerning the Lebanon problem is, the next Hezbo-Israeli war has a much greater potential for escalation. The buildup of Hezbollah, Syria and Iran suggest that this will be a planned setup, to make Israel respond in a way that allows Syria and Iran to hit Israel without looking like the attackers; even though they set it all up.

If Hezbollah can hit Tel Aviv and Dimona (home of Israel's nuclear facilities) with 1200 lb. warheads, supplied by Iran through Syria, then Israel has to respond in a decisive manner. And this will more than likely involve Syrian and Iranian missiles in their response. And like I said in other threads - that's why we have the missile cruisers and destroyers we do off Lebanon, in the Red Sea and the Gulf. If people are shooting missiles everywhere, we want to be able to shoot them down. They could have anything for a warhead. One Syrian missile hitting Haifa with a VX warhead, and Israel goes nuclear.

So, a lot is riding on what Hezbollah and Israel do. Whenever it happens again, it won't be like the last time.

[bigfootzx]

True, these guys are playing a dangerous game with no appearance of a bluff nor will they back down. Israel is committed too. Syria is to chicken to declare a war, subversive tactics and they can pretend it's just terrorism when in fact its thin plot that is easlily detected. Question is, did this plan include Iran wanting the US to get involved so they can blame us for the escalation. Irans president loves to play cat and mouse games?

[Smurf-Herder]

True, these guys are playing a dangerous game with no appearance of a bluff nor will they back down. Israel is committed too. Syria is to chicken to declare a war, subversive tactics and they can pretend it's just terrorism when in fact its thin plot that is easlily detected. Question is, did this plan include Iran wanting the US to get involved so they can blame us for the escalation. Irans president loves to play cat and mouse games?

The way Iran is playing this, they already have IRGC, missiles (including Shahab-3s in Syria and Zelzal-2s in Lebanon) and other units pre-positioned in Syria and Lebanon; so if they don't launch anything from Iranian teritory, the fighting may be contained to the Syrian-Lebanon area. It all depends on exactly what form any escalation takes.

But Israel is definitely getting their people ready for the worst.

'Day Four of the War' - Israel's Largest Emergency Drill Ever
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/125808

"As part of the exercise, a minute and a half long siren will be heard on Tuesday, April 8th, at 10 a.m. across the country. Every town will be included except for "Sderot and the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip," according to the IDF - ostensibly because terrorists would use a practice drill as an opportunity to launch real rockets. Ashkelon will be included.

The government has hired veteran news anchor Gadi Sukenik to broadcast emergency instructions Tuesday - and to do the same in the event of a real emergency. Channel 33 will feature instructions from 10 to 11 a.m., broadcast from the Home Front Command's new studio. During the broadcast Sukenik will speak on behalf of GOC Home Front Command (H.F.C.), Maj. Gen. Yair Golan. H.F.C. will broadcast guidance and tutorial videos on how to choose a protected space and how to behave during an alert.

At the same time, an exercise led by the national educational institutions will take place in which schools and kindergartens will practice entering protected spaces. During the sounding of the siren, Home Front Command bases, as well as Governmental Offices and Public Institutions, will also practice entering protected spaces. A national exercise will also take place with the participation of local and other authorities and with the participation of the Home Front's liaison units, which were especially recruited for the exercises.

On Tuesday- Thursday, April 8-10th, 2008, a field exercise that will simulate various potential scenarios will take place. Among the scenarios to be practiced: conventional and non-conventional rockets hitting Israel, chemical-biological incidents, an exercise in "HaEmek" hospital in Afula and different search and rescue drills."

http://www.oref.org.il/14-en/PAKAR.aspx

[Americanadian]

I find it amusing that Israel, who possesses nuclear, biological and chemical weaponry, not to mention the latest military technology America has to offer, would be concerned about Syrian military movement. I suppose if nothing else to masquerade the propaganda that their enemies are more potent than they really are? Much like the blatant exaggeration that Iraq was a serious threat to America. LOL

Like the joke goes:

B.S - bullshit
M.S - more shit
PhD - piled high & deep

The mainstream media exceeds the "PhD" level.

[Jesse Hemingway]

The most powerful military in history lead by bush can only get another second place ribbon at best. :lmao2: :lmao2: :lmao2:

[Jesse Hemingway]

Did I forget to say that Isreal will get their ass kicked again. Isreal will get their ass kicked again.:lmao2: :lmao2: :lmao2: