Last update - 00:00 25/10/2007
IDF cancels Golan Heights field exercise to allay Syrian fears
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
The Israel Defense Forces has decided to cancel a planned field exercise for the Golan Heights, in order to avoid unnecessary tension with Syria.
The decision to limit the exercise to the Galilee was made by senior members of the IDF top brass on Thursday, and was linked to fears that the Golan Heights portion of the exercise would be viewed by Syria as preparations for war.
IDF sources told Haaretz on Thursday that they wanted to "remove any shadow of a doubt that the Syrians could have that the field exercises are for training purposes only."
The exercise in question would have been the largest of its kind carried out by the IDF in years, combining extensive forces from the Northern Command and the air force and navy.
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