IDF general: Syrian army signaling Damascus does not want war
Olmert tells IDF to avoid actions Syria may misunderstand; Barak implores media to assuage Syrian fears.
By Barak Ravid, Amos Harel and Yoav Stern Tags: Syria IDFIDF GOC Northern Command Gadi Eizenkot said that the Syrian military is trying to send Israel the message that it is not interested in confrontation.
"The Syrian army is trying to calm the sector down," said Eizenkot, during a visit to the Northern Command by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. "Syria is taking action in the field that is designed to signal to Israel that it is not interested in escalation."
Meanwhile, Israel has learned that Damascus has recently received a new missile system, as part of a process of strengthening its army that has been ongoing in recent months.
Barak observed an Israel Defense Forces exercise in the Golan Heights on Wednesday, and reiterated his belief that he does not foresee an upcoming war with Syria.
"Israel does not want war, and by our assessment, neither does Syria," said Barak. "Therefore, there is no need for a war here."
Barak implored the media to take measures to assuage Syrian fears about an impending war, and to dissuade them from thinking that IDF exercises in the North are part of preparations for such an event.
Barak told the media, "The last five years we did not train sufficiently and it is our steadfast intent to thoroughly train every unit of the IDF. The training grounds of Israel are in the Golan Heights and the Negev, and on these grounds we will continue to train our forces to be ready for any test that may arise."
In an effort to forestall the possibility of a miscalculation leading to war, Syrian and Israeli leaders sent calming messages to each other Tuesday.
Syrian Vice President Farouk Shara said that Damascus does not intend to initiate war, a message that was echoed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"Israel is not interested in war with Syria, but we are preparing for any eventuality," Olmert told officers during a visit to Northern Command headquarters Tuesday.
"Israel knows that we do not wish for war," said Shara, speaking at a press conference in Damascus. "We will always be ready to respond to Israeli aggression, but we will not initiate war."
All of Syria's military preparations are defensive, Shara asserted, and accused Israel of "looking for an excuse to start a war."
"People on Syria's streets do not want war, although they will not accept anything less than Israeli withdrawal from the whole of the occupied Golan Heights. The Arab initiative is clear in this regard and we support it," Shara said, referring to an Arab League plan that calls for Israel to withdraw from all territories captured in 1967 in return for peace.
Shara said that this is the option Syria has chosen, but ominously noted that Damascus also has "other options."
Regarding his country's close ties with Iran, Shara said that the relationship is strategic, but stressed that it is "not blind."
Barak and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi joined Olmert's visit to the North, as did Major General Amos Yadlin, the head of Military Intelligence. Yadlin stressed that "Syria is not planning to initiate a war, but the scenario of a possible miscalculation is still relevant."
Both Olmert and Barak called on Northern Command officers to bring "calm" to the front and avoid steps that might create confusion on the Syrian side.
The deputy defense minister, Matan Vilnai, also said Tuesday that Syria has no interest in war with Israel.
"Israel, too, has no interest in war. The tension is natural, but unnecessary," he added during a visit to the village of Ghajar, on the border with Lebanon.
Sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau said that Tuesday's visit to Northern Command had been preplanned and was not related to the escalating tensions.
These tensions have been fueled in part by the Israel Defense Forces' intensive training exercises, which are part of its rehabilitation program following the Second Lebanon War, as well as by the massive rearmament of the Syrian armed forces with sophisticated, primarily Russian-made arms.
Despite the Syrian rearmament, Yadlin was firm in his assessment that there are no indications that Damascus is planning an attack against Israel. The MI chief argued that war is currently not in Syria's interest.
As such, the defense establishment is primarily concerned that war may be triggered by miscalculation.
Senior defense officials told Haaretz that the situation on the Syrian front is likely to become clearer in the near future.
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IDF GOC Northern Command Gadi Eizenkot. (Jini Archives) |
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"Lincoln doesn`t understand why the IDF can`t train in the negev for readiness in the the Golan." - peter Peter the IDF uses both locations and that activity in one might well cause a suspicious response by Syria. It is noted that General Barak went to some effort to let Syria know the training was not cover for an attack on Syria. I understand him and I do not doubt him. I do see a location which the Defense Minister expressed profound concern with when he took office. I have notice he has not spoken of major operations there since. He noted that training does go on in the Negev and I questioned whether that training might be going on in certain parts of the Negev. What would be the import peter if the forces were being mobilized near Elat, or Beersheba? What about 50 km to the east northeast of Beersheba? Got it? No? I am not surprised. They have lots of rocks in the Negev peter, and some folks are as dumb as a box of rocks.
Syria has to replenish its own missile supply after giving so much materiel to hezbollah. After that, there will be a different signal.
Syria is quite likely to have the Golan back within a few years. There are several scenarios in which this could take place. One is the Saudi peace plan, which is supported by America. Another possibility is a seperate peace with Syria to reduce that threat in the event of a war with Iran. Finally, Syria could win back the Golan through military action in league with Iran and Hizbollah. It is quite silly to expect Syria to make an independent attack upon Israel prior to a Israel/Iran conflict.
It seems to me that you are doing your fair share in contributing to the war hysteria with your regular insinuations. Obviously, every army has to train, and since Israel is tiny, the choices of training grounds are extremely limited. This is considerably different from Syria, which is at least nine times the size of Israel.
Let the international cummunity give each Israeli jew 1 million Euro, in return the world will get Israel to sign a peace agreement with its neighbours. With that kind of money they will have the means to avoid another holocaust.
I get the imression that Syria is a threat just before the budget for the military is finalized. Lord knows why... As for Syrian arms deals, they seem to be rather routine. Mostly upgrades and replenishment. Hovewer they might be beefing up their anti-tank capability due to lessons learned from last year. Israels posture is rather offensive. However this is due to their doctrine of offensive defence. I expect the syrians to counter this with hezbullah style AT defences. Hence beefing up their air defence and anti tank weapons. I love the smell of peace in the morning..
to perpetuate occupation and no peace status!! War is their only solution for survival!!!
Lincoln doesn't understand why the IDF can't train in the negev for readiness in the the Golan. duhhhh. Does such a ridiculous statement warrant a response. Is there anybody else out there pontificating who doesn't know the difference in terrain and tactics between the Negev and the Golan?
Hey Simon, yes we need to fight "like men" like Israel. We can start by making all Israelis refugees and disarmed and then bomb the hell out of them with 21st century military equipment. Cut water and elctricity to them too. Yes like men. The days of this terrorist state is numbered.
and very much so. Bibi, through his decisions caused a scale of human loss and suffering that he can not pay even he goes through one thousand different kinds of cancer, I stand by my views, why should I wish well for a murderer ? Do I look like jesus ? And yes, Israel DOES WANT war with Syria, its usual rethorics that all it wants is to live peacefully is a lie that would make laugh the crows (as we usually say in Turkish). Yes sol, I am relevant, you are NOT. And now hear this: you can not get away with all the murders.
Nobody knows intention of Syria but everybody knows that Syria is buying arms, quite sophisticated arms, from Russia like anti-aircraft rockets and MIG-330. Israel must press Russia to stop arming Syria, otherwise the war can be sparked in our region. Russia has anti-Israeli millitary policy and we must say to Russia if Russia will continue arming our enemies we will stop our cultural and economical relationship. Our main oroentation is USA not Russia.
How do you expect Syrians to move on. It is legally and rightfully Syrian and they will not rest until they get it back. It is their right and they will take it back sooner or later its just a matter of time.
""The last five years we did not train sufficiently and it is our steadfast intent to thoroughly train every unit of the IDF. The training grounds of Israel are in the Golan Heights and the Negev, and on these grounds we will continue to train our forces to be ready for any test that may arise." - Ehud Barak Ah, 'the Negev"! Now, the Golan is next to Syria, which Israel does not want a war with he says. The Negev, let me think. . . This training isn't happening in the north east Negev is it?
Information, disinformation, and the effects of unnecessary tensions. "The last five years we did not train sufficiently and it is our steadfast intent to thoroughly train every unit of the IDF. The training grounds of Israel are in the Golan Heights and the Negev, and on these grounds we will continue to train our forces to be ready for any test that may arise." - Ehud Barak That is an interesting statement. Golly, could the Syrians have taken defensive preparations in response to Israeli training operations on their border? Refusing to even discuss peace negotiations can lead to increased tension at times like this. That still does not explain why someone in the Israeli government or IDF is using this situation to whip up a war fever. I still suspect the whole hysteria is part of a disinformation campaign.
1. Syria has (or is getting) a new missile system... How long before it is smuggled into Leb to the Hez? 2. You want to make sure there is no war, Olmert should invite Assad to Jerusalem for a one on one meeting. If he shows up, he is truly interested in peace. If not, F them!!! 3. If Syria would stop its proxy war on Israel via Leb. That would also probably help relax the Israeli posture. Syria is constantly attacking Israel via Leb. Destroying the Leb!
I find it amazing that you would have the nerve to accuse anybody of being "bloodthirsty". This from someone who in another post on this site wished that Bibi would contract cancer and die a long painful death! You have no idea what Israel is or wants or needs and you have clearly demonstrated that your views count for less than nothing - you are completely irrelevant.
And launch a war of attrition, using gunmen out of uniform, whilst launching rockets at Israeli civilian areas from amongst heavily populated arab civilian areas. The arabs realised after 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1973 that fighting Israel face-to-face (like men) on the open battlefield only results in the arabs getting a thorough thrashing. They therefore have to hide behind women and children, so that Israel looks bad when it retaliates and the Clickfools, Dursons, Indrayas of this world have something to talk and moan about.
Does it writes your talkback too?
Can your dog predict an earthquke or Tsunami, that maybe more usefull then concerning yourself with Syria and Israel.
Israel does not want war, Syria does not want war. Ok, who is promoting the current war hysteria?
indrajaya, ask your dog if he knows whats written in Sura 17 verse 104
you dog?
the amount of talk about "not wanting a war" and yet the build up goes on is clear to non military people of the true intent of Syria BEWARE Israel neither slumber nor sleep as it is written because they will attack you sooner or later
They lost it in a war they initiated against us. MOve on already.
statistically speaking on sundays ,tuesdayas and thursdays the war is iminent. on mondays,wendsdays and fridays please relax no war at horizon.
Seems like they are preparing the ground now so that when the fighting is over everybody can say; 'WE went the extra mile for peace' 'WE did everything we could to avert this war' 'WE gave the Syrians/Israelis/whoever every chance to find a peaceful option.' Seems like the moral highground is as important as the fortified highground. Fair enough I suppose. I don't find myself in any way reassured by all these protestations of peaceful intent though. I think there will be a war.
Has this general seen the extent of the massive Syrian re-armement program? Has he examined how many new long/short range missiles are being deployed in Syria? Has he examined the impact/influence of Iran on Syrian/Lebanese foreign/defenced policies? OR are we dealing with one more general with political ambitions, who will say whatever his master wants? We need generals who will shut up, do their duty as officers and lead their men.
My friend Mehmet, Merhaba! I disagree whith what you say. We have another whay of democracy here. Its not state controlled. I am very interested to know if your generals will step in and stop the political show in Turkey, if your new president will take a step backwards from Atatürk's path?
This general says things the Israeli govt and the Americans do not want to hear, they will get rid of him, just in the same way they turned poor Dan Halutz into a scapegoat after the second Lebanon war. I wonder what excuses they will find but they will find something. Israel is bloodthirsty for a war with Syria for a plethora of reasons including security, water, also territorial ambition even though Israelis constantly deny it. After it became obvious that Assad govt is weak but not weak enough to collapse, Issies and the Americans now want to turn Syria into another Iraq. Russia must step in and help Syria, this way they will have a foot in the Mediterranean.
This is getting boring... like children playing around...
...IDF general: Syrian army signaling that Damascus doesn't want war... Even my dog knows that.
...IDF general: Syrian army signaling that Damascus doesn't want war... Even my dog knows that.
as a citizen of ISRAEL I do not believe the arabs. yom keepor is close and I pray not to happened again. we lost mny of our good kids in this stupid war.we should all ptray that this not happened again BE EZRAT HA SHEM