Syrian Artillery Takes “Direct Hit” from Israeli Tanks
Monday, November 12th, 2012November 12, 2012
Israeli tanks made “direct hits” on Syrian artillery units today in response to Syrian mortar shells falling near an Israeli army post in the Golan Heights. The Israeli strike came one day after Israel fired warning shots after a Syrian shell hit another of its army posts on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Israeli political leaders noted that the tank fire is intended as a tough but clear message to Syria that Israel is not interested in going to war but will not tolerate any more shelling into Israeli territory. Syrian government forces continue to fight armed rebels on the other side of the Israeli-Syrian armistice line. The line was established after Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War in 1967, also known as the June War.
The rebellion in Syria began in March 2011 as part of the Arab Spring demonstrations. An estimated 40,000 people on both sides have died since the conflict began.
Additional World Book articles:
- Arab-Israeli conflict
- The Middle East: From Fall to Spring
- Israel 1967 (a Back in Time article)
- Syria 2011 (a Back in Time article)