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August 17, 2007
Syrian Missile Buildup Continues
Syrian missile buildup continues, Israel calls situation 'tense'
Syria continues to deploy missiles supplied by Russia and has established an anti-aircraft umbrella around Damascus and the Golan Heights.
Israel's military has reported that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad deployed a range of surface-to-air missile assets in southern Syria. The military said the assets were purchased over the last year from Russia and financed by Iran.
"The situation is tense," a senior Israeli officer said.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi met at the military's Northern Command headquarters near the Lebanese border. The three men, on the first anniversary of the conclusion of the 34-day war with Hizbullah, received briefings on Syrian military preparations.
"I don't think it is in Syria's interest to start a war," Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said. "It is not in our interests to start war. This tension is unnecessary."
Military sources said Syria has been deploying short- and medium-range missiles and rockets in southern and central Syria. They said the Assad regime has been engaged in accelerated deployment of the Scud C and D missiles, with ranges of 550 and 700 kilometers, respectively.
"There are more than 100 mobile Syrian launchers in the Golan Heights," a source said. "This means that within an hour, they can fire at least 400 missiles into Israel."
The Syrian military has also accelerated training in commando and anti-tank weapons tactics. The sources said Syrian commando units have been receiving Russian-origin AT-14 Kornet anti-tank missiles.
The Syrian procurement included the Pantsir-S1 air defense system, also ordered by the United Arab Emirates. Damascus has also upgraded its SA-3 and SA-6 systems and plans to purchase the S-300.
The military sources said Iran plans to fund huge Syrian weapons purchases over the next year. The sources said Damascus has already ordered a large quantity of SAMs and anti-tank missiles, most of which have not been delivered.
"They will arrive over the next six to 12 months," a military source said.
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Wild Thing's comment........
Yes it is tense, but it has been tense for longer then just now. I hope the Israelis get some REAL leadership before the shooting starts.
Just two years ago, Israel evacuated all 9,000 Israelis living in Gaza and four northern West Bank communities in an effort to pave the way for peace and a future Palestinian state. During the disengagement, Israel uprooted entire communities including schools, businesses, places of worship and the only Jewish cemetery there.
I say ENOUGH! I pray for strong leadership in Israel, for the IDF.
It may have the worlds best anti-air defenses now, thanks to Iran and Russia, but it does not have anti-missile defense systems like Israel has with the THEL and Arrow/Patriot systems..
Posted by Wild Thing at August 17, 2007 12:47 AM
Comments
The World is filling up with nut cases in charge of rogue nations. Assad and Putin are two examples. For some reason they want trouble and tensions to exist. They would rather threaten war than to build strong economies and run peaceful nations. In turn they support or are supported by other nut cases like Ahmadinejad in Iran.
I hope the next time the IDF is committed that is is allowed to do what it needs to do, no holds barred by weak willed, unrealistic leadership.
Posted by: TomR at August 17, 2007 09:46 AM
The Israel of today is not the Israel of the 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982 Wars. The leaders of the country of those wars understood that Israel's survival depended on winning and they did whatever was necessary to do so.
Unfortunately, the leaders who without concessions unilaterally turned over Gaza to the PA and Fatah (a terrorist organization); are abandoning Judea & Samaria to Fatah, Hamas, and al Qaeda; are willing to negotiate the status of Jerusalem; and fought an incompetent and losing war against Hezbollah in Lebanon the summer of 2006 have invited a four pronged enemy attack from Syria, Lebanon (Hezbollah), Gaza (Hamas & al Qaeda), and Judea/Samaria (Fatah).
They have all announced their plans and repeatedly attacked Israel with military force and terrorism. Israel needs a President Truman like leader who will immediately use ALL necessary force and weapons (including nuclear) in it's arsenal to destroy the enemy before they destroy Israel.
Posted by: Les at August 17, 2007 05:43 PM
Tom, I hope so too. It was an outrage that the IDF was stopped the last time.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 17, 2007 11:44 PM
Les............
"Israel needs a President Truman like leader who will immediately use ALL necessary force and weapons (including nuclear) in it's arsenal to destroy the enemy before they destroy Israel.:.......
I agree so much with what you said Les.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 17, 2007 11:47 PM
