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Members of the Syrian armed forces. (AP) Last update - 10:40 03/04/2008 Israel fears Syrian army moves may signal Hezbollah attack By Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, Yuval Azoulay and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Israel, Syria, IDF, Hezbollah Israel is concerned that recent actions by the Syrian armed forces are a possible preamble for a Hezbollah operation against the northern border and a broader conflagration. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Major-General Dan Harel, warned Wednesday that Israel will respond with a heavy hand against anyone trying to target Israel. In a further sign that tensions are mounting along the Israel-Syrian border, Defense Minister Ehud Barak has canceled a scheduled visit to Germany. Advertisement The London-published daily Al-Quds al-Arabi reported Wednesday that the Syrians have recently deployed three armored divisions because Damascus is concerned about an Israeli attack. Sources in the defense establishment say the report in the Arabic-language paper are exaggerated, but note that Syria has taken some unusual steps recently. 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. In recent months the Syrian army has held a defensive posture on a fairly broad level. This posture has been bolstered after the Mughniyah's assassination, and are reminiscent of the preparations made by the Syrian armed forces in the summer of 2007, before the Israel Air Force attack in northeast Syria. Israel sees the Syrians' readiness mostly in their missile units, as well as in artillery and rocket battalions. There is also a bolstering of forces along the border with Lebanon, which seems to follow growing domestic tensions there as a result of a deadlock in the process for selecting a new president. Smaller units have also been deployed in other areas, and an effort is evident to raise the level of preparedness of reserve units. In recent months, the Syrian army has been carrying out more training than in earlier periods, a process that coincides with a bolstering of the armed forces with the procurement of sophisticated arms, much of it paid for by Iran. The visit by Defense Minister Barak to the northern border on Tuesday was not coincidental and was directly linked to the growing tensions. Barak said that Israel is the most powerful country in the Middle East and warned against challenging it. At the same time, Israel sent messages to Damascus along secret channels that it has no offensive intentions, but warned that it would not hold back if attacked, even if Hezbollah and Syria argue that the attack was a retaliation for Mughniyah's assassination. Israeli security sources said there is no intelligence that shows Syria is planning offensive action against Israel, but it pointed out that the Syrian deployment is troubling and requires a high level of readiness by the IDF. At Northern Command, the readiness is at high level, especially to counter possible Hezbollah attacks seeking to avenge the killing of Mughniyah. Intelligence concerned by assassination possibility According to intelligence assessments, Hezbollah may - in coordination with Syria and Iran - try to assassinate senior Israeli public figures. The defense establishment is particularly worried about attacks against Israeli targets in the developing world, where Hezbollah may use local terrorist infrastructure affiliated with extremist Islamic organizations. In its report, Al-Quds al-Arabi noted that the Syrians are preparing not only for an Israeli offensive against Syria, but also in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The newspaper reported that Syria is following IDF movements very closely as well as the statements by Israeli leaders in the media. Here they see incitement and an attempt to ready Israeli and international public opinion toward war against Syria. 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. Deputy Chief of Staff Harel discussed the reports in the Arab press on the elevated state of readiness in the Syrian army during a briefing with reporters yesterday. "I see no reason at all for unusual tension in the North and I do not think that any side is interested in a military confrontation," he said. But Harel also struck a threatening note when he reiterated what has lately become a favorite statement among the top IDF brass and Defense Minister Barak: "Anyone who tries to harm Israel needs to keep in mind that Israel is the most powerful country in the region and its response will be hard and painful. We are constantly vigilant and ready for action." Related articles: Assad: Syrian military preparing for war with Israel Solana: There is no potential for war between Israel and Syria Syria, Iran intelligence services aided Hezbollah during war Bookmark to del.icio.us   Pot shots Hamas says Gazan rockets are not aimed at Israeli women and children. I'll be watching you Hezbollah says it will monitor Israel's civil defense drill closely.   1.   So That There Will Not Be Any Surprises 03:52  |  Eli 03/04/08   2.   hezbollah plans to assasinate 04:32  |  alex 03/04/08   3.   And why? 05:24  |  Mark Lincoln 03/04/08   4.   #1;Eli, I agree with you it will be very heavy, rightfully so 05:26  |  Doc Holliday 03/04/08   5.   let em do it 06:01  |  tom 03/04/08   6.   reap what you sew 06:04  |  Space 03/04/08   7.   Spring/Summer 2007...... 06:11  |  Avrum 03/04/08   8.   You Always Find the Angle, Don`t You Mark! 06:12  |  JP 03/04/08   9.   #1--Eli--the white gloves must come off! 06:21  |  Matt Dillon 03/04/08   10.   If the unthinkable happens.... 06:25  |  R 03/04/08   11.   So.... Mark Lincoln # 2 _ The Price Of Eggs Is What In Your Fine 06:29  |  Eli 03/04/08   12.   @Eli: "PROPORTIONS" 06:41  |  Analyst 03/04/08   13.   heavy hand 06:53  |  Vogel 03/04/08   14.   #2 Mark 07:18  |  geoff 03/04/08   15.   Destroy the mafia state of Syria. 08:23  |  Jean Van Daem 03/04/08   16.   Always with the threats and big talk 08:27  |  Natallie Durson 03/04/08   17.   #2, "Why should Syria...not mobilise?" 08:51  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/04/08   18.   Time to change the game 08:52  |  Bashir Gemayel 03/04/08   19.   Israel Will Give Hez and Assad a Whuppin 09:20  |  Dave Levy 03/04/08   20.   Isrel expects symmetry 09:43  |  Clickfool 03/04/08   21.   For Jean van Daem # 10 09:52  |  Clickfool 03/04/08   22.   This is what would happen 10:33  |  Palestinian 03/04/08   23.   This bragging and threatening is really stupid 10:38  |  Mark B. 03/04/08   24.   Mark Lincoln #161 11:36  |  TonyL 03/04/08   25.   JP 11:53  |  TonyL 03/04/08   26.   #20, Israel is prepared for the unexpected 12:16  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/04/08   27.   #20, Israel is prepared for the unexpected 12:19  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/04/08   28.   #20, Israel is prepared for the unexpected 12:21  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/04/08   29.   The formaldehyde war 13:08  |  Dr Dror 03/04/08   30.   As much as I love Israel, we must stop being arrogant 16:25  |  Dan 03/04/08   31.   If Hezbollah attacks again, bomb Damascus! 16:37  |  David 03/04/08   32.   The Problem Is Assad Refuses To Learn 16:37  |  Kipperraes 03/04/08   33.   Why a war with Syria won`t be a cakewalk-1 17:11  |  Nadia 03/04/08   34.   Another Fly By Of Assads Palace Is Needed As A Wake Up Call 17:13  |  Dish It Out 03/04/08   35.   Why a war with Syria won`t be a cakewalk-2 17:16  |  Nadia 03/04/08   36.   Deluded Dr Dror 17:36  |  Nadia 03/04/08   37.   Loosing Damascus for Mughniyah? 20:46  |  Trent 03/04/08   38.   Nadia, it won`t be a cake walk, but 20:54  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/04/08   39.   wow. So many zionists replies...and 80% of them are about killing 23:58  |  Alan 03/04/08   40.   bravado of fear the smell all over 05:28  |  reza SHAH 04/04/08   41.   israel now a 53d US state 15:58  |  bozhidar bob balkas 04/04/08   42.   #39 Alan So many Syrian troop gatherings 17:38  |  * BEN JABO 04/04/08   43.   David (31) 14:35  |  Marc 05/04/08   44.   my advice to iraqis: stop all armed 21:20  |  bozhidar bob balkas 05/04/08   45.   #43 Marc NY 02:30  |  * BEN JABO 06/04/08   46.   #35 Nadia - It`s not "Syria`s Will" 05:07  |  * BEN JABO 06/04/08

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