President Trump Signs Presidential Order Recognizing Golan Heights As Israeli Territory

Reuters: In boost for Netanyahu, Trump signs proclamation recognizing Golan Heights as Israeli territory

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli territory in an election boost for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as his chief political rival sought to appear as a better alternative to lead Israel.

During a White House visit by Netanyahu, Trump signed a proclamation officially granting U.S. recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, in a dramatic shift from decades of U.S. policy. Israel seized the strategic land from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

The recognition, which Trump had announced in a tweet last Thursday, appeared to be the most overt gesture by the Republican president to help Netanyahu, who had been pressing Trump for the move.

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More News On President Trump Signing A Presidential Order Recognizing Golan Heights As Israeli Territory

Golan Heights: Trump signs order recognising occupied area as Israeli -- BBC
Trump greets embattled Netanyahu, signs Golan Heights proclamation -- CNN
Trump signs proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights -- FOX News
Trump Signs Order Recognizing Golan Heights as Israeli Territory -- Haaretz
Trump formally recognises Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights -- Al Jazeera

President Trump's Tweet On Recognizing Israeli Sovereignty Over The Golan Heights Sparks Condemnation

Daily Mail: 'The edge of a new crisis': Syria vows to use 'every possible means' to 'liberate' the Golan Heights as Trump sparks fury in the Middle East by pledging to recognise Israel's sovereignty over highlands

* President Trump made the abrupt proclamation over Golan on Twitter yesterday
* It was immediately welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
* But Syria's foreign ministry said statement was an 'irresponsible' threat to peace
* Israel captured the area from Syria in 1967 and unilaterally annexed it in 1981
* The U.N. does not recognize the sovereignty of 'occupying power' Israel

Syria and its allies have condemned Donald Trump's declaration that America should recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

The Foreign Ministry in Damascus vowed it would use 'every possible means' to 'liberate' the region and described the US President's statement as a threat to international peace and stability.

It said his comments on Twitter confirm 'the blind bias of the United States to the Zionist entity,' referring to Israel, and added that the statement won't change 'the fact that the Golan was and will remain Arab and Syrian.'

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More News And Responses To President Trump's Tweet On Recognizing Israeli Sovereignty Over The Golan Heights

Trump's Golan Heights announcement met with a shrug in the Arab world -- CNN
Trump provokes global anger by recognising Israel's claim to Golan Heights -- The Guardian
Golan Heights: Syria condemns Donald Trump's remarks -- BBC
Syria condemns Trump's stance on Golan Heights sovereignty -- Al Jazeera
Russia, Iran and Syria slam Trump's Golan Heights comments -- DW
France says Israeli sovereignty over Golan breaks international law -- France 24
Druze on Golan Heights reject Trump backing for Israeli sovereignty -- Reuters
Golan Heights: Why it matters to US, Israel and Syria -- DW

Russia Begins Patrols On The Golan Heights

Abandoned UN checkpoint in Golan Heights. © / RT

The Telegraph: Russia exerts growing clout in Middle East as it begins patrols in Golan Heights

Russian military police have begun patrolling the demilitarised zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights, highlighting Moscow's increasing clout as a Middle Eastern power broker following its intervention in the civil war there.

“The Russian military police are pioneers in renewing patrols of the Golan Heights,” Lt Gen Sergei Kuralenko told journalists at a damaged United Nations observer post.

“There is almost no danger besides from mines. The whole demilitarised zone is under control now.”

Following the start of the Syrian conflict, militants drove out the UN peacekeepers that had served in the area since 1974.

The pockmarked guardhouses and discarded ammo and rocket-propelled grenade launcher boxes testified to the fierce fighting between Bashar Assad's regime and the Nusra Front before government forces pushed the al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group from the post and the wider area last month.

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More News On Russia Beginning Patrols On The Golan Heights

Russia to help UN with patrols along Syria-Israel frontier -- FOX News/AP
In Syria's Golan, Russia seeks handover to UN -- Times of Israel
Russia plays referee on the Golan Heights -- Asia Times
RT films abandoned UN checkpoints at Golan Heights after terrorists kicked out -- RT

Israel Turns Back Syrian Refugees At The Golan Heights

An Israeli soldier speaks over a megaphone to people which stand next to the border fence between Israel and Syria from its Syrian side as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the Israeli Syrian border July 17, 2018. RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS

Jerusalem Post: 200 Syrians gather at Israel's border, flee regime offensive

Waving white flags, group returned to displaced persons camp near village of Bariqa.

Scores of displaced Syrians, some waving white flags, briefly approached within 200 meters of the frontier fence along the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Tuesday before IDF soldiers ordered them to go back.

“You are on the border of the State of Israel. Go back. We don’t want to hurt you,” the soldier shouted in Arabic through a loudspeaker at the crowd, live Reuters TV footage showed.

The Syrians, approaching from displaced persons camps, appeared to be seeking sanctuary from the current offensive led by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to retake rebel-held territory in the southern part of the country.

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WNU Editor:  If they had let in these 200 .... 2,000 would be at the border tomorrow, 20,000 next week, and who knows after that. The Syrian civil war is coming to an end in southern Syria, and one can only imagine the retribution/revenge killings/and punishments that are now being meted out on those who opposed the Syrian regime and lost.

Is The U.S. About To Recognize Israeli Sovereignty Over The Golan Heights?

Reuters: Exclusive: Israeli minister says U.S. may soon recognize Israel's hold on Golan

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is pressing the Trump administration to recognize its sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, an Israeli cabinet minister said on Wednesday, predicting U.S. assent could come within months.

Interviewed by Reuters, Intelligence Minister Israel Katz described endorsement of Israel’s 51-year-old hold on the Golan as the proposal now “topping the agenda” in bilateral diplomatic talks with the United States.

Any such move would be seen as a follow-up on the U.S. exit from the international nuclear deal with Iran, and President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the opening of a new U.S. embassy there this month.

Trump’s moves were hailed by Israel and caused deep concern among major European allies of Washington.

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WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. I do not see Israel giving up the Golan Heights for a long time .... if ever. U.S. recognition .... or not .... will not make any difference in the end.

Israeli PM Netanyahu Visits The Golan Heights And Issues A Warning To Its Enemies

Netanyahu and members of the security cabinet touring the Israel-Syria border, February 6, 2018.Kobi Gideon / GPO

Haaretz: Netanyahu Visits Syria Border, Issues Warning: Israel Prepared for Any Scenario, Don't Test Us

Members of the security cabinet tour the northern border amid rising tensions, after Lebanese leader caution against Israel's 'direct threat to stability'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the security cabinet toured the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights on Tuesday. During the tour, Netanyahu said that Israel "seeks peace, but we are prepared for any scenario, and I do not suggest anyone test us."

The prime minister was referring to the rising tensions on Israel's northern border. Earlier on Tuesday, Lebanon's three top leaders accused Israel of threatening the stability of the border region between the two countries.

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WNU Editor: With the Syrian war winding down, the media reverts back to covering the old and predictable Israeli-Arab conflict.

More News On Israeli PM Netanyahu Visiting The Golan Heights And Issuing A Warning To Its Enemies

On northern border, Netanyahu warns enemies: 'Don't test us' -- The Times of Israel
Israel Seeks Peace But Is Ready for Any Scenario, Netanyahu Says -- Bloomberg
Netanyahu warns Israel's foes 'not to try us' -- i24NEWS
Lebanese leaders agree to act against 'Israeli threats': statement -- Reuters
Lebanese military tells IDF border wall violates its sovereign territory -- The Times of Israel

Syrian And Iranian-Backed Militias Advance On Rebel Positions Near The Israel Border

A tank flying the Hezbollah terror group's flag is seen in the Qara area in Syria's Qalamoun region on August 28, 2017 (AFP Photo/Louai Beshara)

Reuters: Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near Israel

AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian army forces backed by Iranian-backed militias pushed deeper into the last rebel-held enclave near a strategic border area with Israel and Lebanon in a new expansion of Tehran’s influence in the war-torn country.

The army and the Shi‘ite forces advanced east and south of the Sunni-rebel held bastion of Beit Jin backed by some of the heaviest aerial bombing and heavy artillery shelling since a major assault began over two months ago to seize the area, rebels said.

The Syrian army said it had encircled the village of Mughr al Meer at the foothills of Mount Hermon as troops moved toward Beit Jin amid fierce clashes.

The enclave is the last rebel bastion left in the south west of Damascus known as the Western Ghouta that had since last year fallen under government control after months of heavy bombing on civilian areas and years of siege tactics that forced rebels to surrender.

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More News On Syrian And Iranian-Backed Militias Advancing On Rebel Positions Near The Israel Border

Syrian, Iran-backed forces closing in on Israel border area — report -- Times of Israel
Report: Syrian army, Iranian-backed militias advance closer to Israel's border -- i24 News
Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near northern Israel -- Jerusalem Post
Iranian-backed militias moving closer to Israel -- Arutz Sheva
Syrian troops capture new areas near Israeli-occupied Golan -- Washington Post/AP

Israel Launches Air Strikes On Syrian Positions After Spillover Fire In Syria Hit The Golan Heights

A picture taken from the Golan Heights on September 10, 2016, shows smoke rising from the Syrian village of Jubata al-Khashab. Israeli aircraft struck Syrian army positions after fire from its war-torn neighbor hit the Golan. (AFP/Jalaa Marey)

Times of Israel: Syrian shells land in Golan Heights, sparking IDF strikes

Syrian shells land in Golan Heights, sparking IDF strikes

Israel complains to UN, hits back at Assad regime tanks and post, after apparent errant fire from fighting near the border

Several mortar shells exploded in an open area in the Golan Heights near the border with Syria Saturday afternoon, the army said, leading to retaliatory air strikes.

The army said the mortars appeared to be errant fire from Syrian factions fighting each other across the border. Around 10 impacts were identified in Israeli territory, around the Quneitra area.

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More News On Israel Launching Air Strikes On Syrian Positions After Spillover Fire In Syria Hit The Golan Heights

IDF strikes Syrian targets in response to Golan crossfire -- The Jerusalem Post
Israel attacks Syrian tanks in response to wayward projectiles -- Ynetnews
Israel launches air raid on Syria in return for fire: Army -- Daily Star/AFP
Spillover fire from Syria reaches northern Israel -- Jerusalem Online
Israel tells civilians to steer clear of Syria border -- ABC News/AP
Israeli warplanes target 2 Syrian tanks over spillover cross-border fire -- RT
Several Syrian Projectiles Fall on Israeli Part of Golan Heights – IDF -- Sputnik

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel Will Never Give Up The Golan Heights

Bloomberg: Netanyahu Says Israel Will Never Withdraw From Golan Heights

* Israeli leader marks statement with cabinet meeting on plateau
* `Time that the international community recognized reality'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said publicly for the first time that Israel will never pull back from the Golan Heights, the strategic plateau it captured from Syria almost 50 years ago.

Underlining the message, Netanyahu made the declaration at a weekly cabinet meeting that he convened at Ma’ale Gamla, a Golan settlement, instead of his office building in Jerusalem.

“It is time that the international community recognized reality,” Netanyahu told the cabinet in remarks circulated by e-mail. “The Golan will always remain in Israel’s hands.”

The Syrian government responded with a protest letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterating its demand that Israel leave the Golan.

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WNU Editor: Syria has responded by vowing to use 'any means necessary' to take back the Golan Heights .... including using military forces (see video)

More News Om Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Remarks That Israel Will Never Give Up The Golan Heights

Netanyahu says Golan Heights to be in Israeli hands ‘forever’ -- AP
Netanyahu vows that Israel will never give up Golan Heights -- Washington Post
Netanyahu says Israel will never give up the Golan Heights -- L.A. Times
Netanyahu: Israel will never return the Golan Heights -- Al Bawaba
Israel Refuses to Relinquish Golan Heights in Face of ISIS Threat -- Washington Free Beacon
Netanyahu vows Golan will ‘forever’ remain Israel’s at 1st ever cabinet meeting in occupied land -- RT

Israel Prepares For The Day When Syria's Civil War Is At Its Borders

The Israeli early warning station on Mount Hermon, above the cloud line on the Golan Heights. Photograph: STR New/Reuters

The Guardian: Israelis watch intently as Syrian rebel forces approach Golan Heights border

Fate of Druze minority a source of growing concern on both sides of ceasefire line as Islamist fighters close in on Bashar al-Assad’s southern strongholds

The top of Mount Hermon bristles with the golfball antennae, surveillance masts and bunkers that make up Israel’s northernmost intelligence base. Damascus is a blur in the distance, but the villages on the edge of the Golan Heights are easily visible below, deceptively peaceful in the afternoon sun.

Perched on the windswept 6,500 ft peak, the Israeli army has a bird’s eye view of what is happening as Syria disintegrates. Hadr, a pro-regime Druze village, fell to rebel fighters on Wednesday. Nearby Jubata al-Khashab is held by loyalist forces. Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaida, is advancing.

WNU Editor: The Syrian civil war will stay away from the Israeli border .... the Israelis have more than once shown their willingness in the past to use deadly force when the conflict reaches their border. But as the Syrian civil war escalates, clashes are going to occur more frequently, and while the Israeli military will be on the watch, the big problem will be the humanitarian crisis .... and will Israeli intervene to save the Druze community.

Islamic State Threatens To Seize The Golan Heights

In a newly released clip in June 2015, the Islamic State issued a warning to rebel groups on the Syrian border with Israel that it intends to control the area. (Screenshot)

Times of Israel: Islamic State says it’s eyeing Syrian Golan

IS warns rebel groups on border with Israel not to aid West; al-Qaeda affiliate currently based ‘100 yards’ away

The Islamic State released a clip this week warning rebel groups on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights — on the border with Israel — that the organization has set its sights on the area and plans to control it.

This is the first time the group has publicly stated its intention to take over the Syrian Golan, currently primarily in the hands of various Syrian rebel groups.

More News On The Islamic State Stating That They Are "Eyeing" The Golan Heights

Islamic State threatens to seize Israel-Syria border -- Israel Hayom
Islamic State militants warn they are 'eyeing' the Golan -- i24 News
Daesh announces it has its sights on Golan -- Al Bawaba

Israeli Soldiers Saved Irish UN Peacekeepers From Jihadists On The Golan Heights

Members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) ride on an armoured personnel carrier (APC) in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights before crossing into Syria August 31, 2014. Baz Ratner/REUTERS

IDF Credited With Saving Irish Troops From Jihadists On Golan -- Times of Israel

Israeli forces provided decisive covering fire, enabling soldiers to rescue Filipino UN observer forces

IDF forces played a crucial role in helping Irish soldiers rescue UN troops from the clutches of Syrian jihadists in a fierce clash on the border with Israel last week.

Senior military sources said that Irish soldiers would have been killed or taken captive if it weren’t for action taken by the IDF on August 30 during a mission to evacuate dozens of Filipino soldiers who were surrounded by a larger force of militants, the Irish Independent reported on Sunday.

Israel reportedly guided the Irish soldiers in their charge to save the trapped members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, helping them to steer away from concentrations of militant units who would have been able to outgun the Irish force. There were also unconfirmed reports that the IDF fired directly at militant positions during the operation.

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More News On Israeli Soldiers Coming To the Rescue Of Irish UN Peacekeepers

Report: Israeli troops saved Irish peacekeepers on Syria border -- Haaretz/Reuters
Foreign Affairs Minister: 'I don't want Irish troops sucked into Syrian civil war' -- Independent.ie
IDF Saved Irish Soldiers From Death or Abduction by Jihadis in Golan Rescue: Sources (VIDEO) -- Al Gemeiner
IDF soldiers saved Irish UN troops from hostage crisis in Golan Heights, says report -- Jerusalem Post
Irish soldiers “safe and accounted for” after daring rescue mission -- The Journal.ie

Al-Qaida Fighters Are Now Stationed Along Israel's Border In The Golan Heights

Israeli Golan Residents Tell Government To 'Wake Up' -- Al-Monitor

Sgt. Shahar Shalev, the 72nd casualty of Operation Protective Edge, was laid to rest Sept. 2 at a funeral in the Hispin community on the Golan Heights. Shalev hailed from the neighboring community of Alonei HaBashan, less than a kilometer from the Syrian border.

Echoes of nearby explosions could be heard in the area, resonating from the battles between the Syrian army and the rebels opposing the government. The Israel Defense Forces occasionally blocked roads and redirected traffic onto alternative routes, worried that the gun or mortar fire might spillover. Residents from the northern Golan Heights who made their way to the funeral were constantly updated about the dynamic, constantly changing map of blocked roads. They have been watching as their quiet, pastoral lives undergo an abrupt change.

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More News On Reports That Al-Qaida Fighters Are Now Stationed Along Israel's Border In The Golan Heights

Golan Heights Border Violence Has Israelis On Edge -- Times of Israel/AP
Israelis in Golan Heights uneasy about nearby Al Qaeda-linked fighters in Syria -- CSM/AP
IDF Returns Fire at Syrian Army Position as Mortar Hits Golan -- Arutz Sheva
Golan Heights: Israel fires into Syria after 'errant fire' -- CBC/Reuters
UN Wants Other Countries to Help Free Abducted Golan Peacekeepers -- AP
UN Security Council Demands Release of 45 Detained Peacekeepers in Golan Heights -- RIA Novosti
U.N. denies Golan peacekeepers ordered to hand arms to Syria rebels -- Reuters

With Syrian Rebels Intensifying Their Attacks, UN Peacekeepers Flee Into Israel From Their Posts In The Golan Heights

Philippine Syria Troops 'Attacked' -- BBC

Philippine peacekeepers trapped by rebels in the Syrian Golan Heights are "under attack", Philippine Defence Minister Voltaire Gazmin says.

He said the assault had started early on Saturday, but gave no details on any casualties.

In recent days the Syrian rebels have taken 44 Fijian peacekeepers hostage in the area and surrounded 75 Filipinos manning two separate UN posts.

The rebels have also seized a crossing point into the Israeli-occupied Golan.

They are believed to include members of the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria.

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Update: Report: UN peacekeepers flee Syria, enter Israel -- AP

My Comment: This is a serious defeat for the Syrian military, and it also shows how unprepared the UN is when it must confront forces that are determined to kick them out.

Al Qaeda Linked Syrian Rebels Have Detained 43 U.N. Peacekeepers On The Golan Heights

BBC

UN Peacekeepers Detained in Syria -- Voice of America

The United Nations said Thursday 43 of its peacekeepers had been captured by an armed group on the border with Syria and Israel, and another 81 are unable to leave their positions near the border crossing.

Militants with the Islamist al-Nusra front on Wednesday stormed the border post. It was unclear who was holding the U.N. personnel.

In a statement, the U.N. said it was making every effort to secure the release of its peacekeepers and restore freedom of movement for the others.

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More News On Reports That Syrian Rebels Have Detained 43 U.N. Peacekeepers And Are Keeping Another 81 Peacekeepers Trapped

U.N. says 43 Golan Heights peacekeepers seized by militants -- Reuters
United Nations Peacekeepers Captured in Golan Heights -- NYT
Syria conflict: UN peacekeepers held in Golan Heights -- BBC
UN: Armed group detains 43 peacekeepers in Syria -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
43 UN peacekeepers seized in Syrian Golan Heights -- AFP
43 U.N. peacekeepers abducted in Golan Heights -- Washington Post
U.N. Says 43 Peacekeepers Detained by Armed Group in Golan Heights -- Time
Unknown Gunmen Capture Over 40 UN Peacekeepers in Golan Heights – Media -- RIA Novosti

Al Qaeda Linked Islamic Fighters Are Now On The Border With Israel

Syrian Islamists Seize Golan Heights Border Crossing -- CNN

(CNN) -- Islamist militants battling the Syrian government seized control of the Quneitra border crossing between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday, according to an Israeli military spokesman and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Among the fighters were members of al-Nusra Front, a Syrian rebel group with ties to al Qaeda, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

And while the Islamist forces are no match for Israeli troops in the heavily militarized zone, the takeover represents a new dynamic in a war long feared not only for its deadly effects inside Syria but for threatening to widen into a destabilizing regional conflict, CNN's Ben Wedeman reported Wednesday.

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More News On Al Qaeda Linked Syrian Rebels Seizing The Key Crossing Point On The Golan Heights

Islamist fighters seize Syria crossing near Israel: Syrian Observatory -- Reuters
Syria Rebels Seize Golan Heights Border Crossing -- AP
Syrian Rebels Seize Crossing Point With Golan Heights -- New York Times
Syrian rebels capture sole border crossing between Israel and Syria in Golan Heights -- Washington Post
Islamists Seize Syria Crossing to Golan Heights Near Israel: Monitor -- NBC
Syrian rebels announce seizure of Golan Heights border crossing -- Deutsche Welle
Syria Rebels Seize Golan Heights Crossing -- SKY News
Al-Nusra Front captures Syrian Golan Heights crossing -- Middle East Eye
Rebels’ seizure of border crossing could herald new gains -- Times of Israel
Islamic militants advance within 200 yards of Israeli territory -- Digital Journal

Syria's Rebels Are Now In Control Of The Golan Heights

Anti-Assad Rebels Said To Control 95% Of Syrian Golan Heights -- Times of Israel

Damascus tells Israel that troops who fired missile across the border on Sunday, killing Israeli boy, mistook Israeli truck for rebel vehicle

Almost the entire Syrian side of the Golan Heights is now under the control of rebel forces, including radical Islamist groups, a senior Israeli military commander in the area said Friday.

Only the Quneitra border area is still in the hands of forces loyal to President Bashar Assad, Lt.-Col. Anan Abbas, deputy commander of the Golan Brigade, told Israel’s Channel 10. About 95 percent of the Syrian side of the Golan is in the hands of anti-Assad rebels, including radical Islamic groups such as the Al-Nusra Front, affiliated with al-Qaeda, a rival of the burgeoning Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, better known as ISIL or ISIS.

One of two Syrian army brigades that used to control the area has completely disappeared, the officer said.

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My Comment: An Israeli confrontation against ISIS may happen sooner than what we think.

Russian Troops On The Golan Heights?

UN peacekeeping soldiers drive past an observation tower near the Quneitra border crossing Photo: REUTERS

Israel Discusses Russian Peacekeepers For Golan -- Asharq Al-Awsat

Israel discusses with Russia possibility of sending Russian peacekeepers to the Golan Heights, in an attempt to cancel the S-300 missile sale to Syria.

Moscow, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Israeli ambassador to Moscow said on Tuesday that Israel was prepared to discuss the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the occupied Golan Heights.

The comments were made while Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni was holding talks with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow about its decision to sell S-300 air defense missiles to Syria.

Ambassador Dorit Golender said: “I think this issue [peacekeeping in the Golan Heights] will be the main point in the negotiations, and if both parties reach agreement, then sending a peacekeepers to the Golan becomes possible. What is needed first is permission from the United Nations, and Israel is always open to resolutions in such issues.”

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Update #1: Israel reportedly mulling deal that would see Russian troops on Golan -- Jerusalem Post
Update #2: Report: Russia Could Suspend Syria S-300 Sale for Golan Role -- Arutz Sheva

My Comment: Russian troops as UN peacekeepers on the Golan Heights .... I am very skeptical that such a deployment will happen.

Israel 'Beefs-Up' Its Presence In The Golan Heights

Israeli soldiers walking past signs pointing out distances to different cities at an observation point on Mount Bental in the Golan Heights May 5, 2013. Photo by Reuters

IDF To Establish New Golan Division To Contend With Syria Threat -- Haaretz

IDF chief believes that the Golan Heights, which turned into an active front because of the ongoing battles between rebel and military forces in Syria, is in need of constant security.

The Israel Defense Force has created a new regional division that will operate in the north to stop any spillover from the Syrian civil war or violation of the cease-fire line in the Golan Heights, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz decided this week.

The new division, the IDF's fifth, will comprise mainly troops from the long-established reserve division, the 366th Division, known as the Netiv Ha’esh ("Path of Fire"), under the command of former Golani Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ofek Buchris.

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Update: Israel strengthens Syria border with an eye on Hezbollah -- Reuters

My Comment: I guess the Israelis are expecting the situation in Syria to get even more bloodier and dangerous.

Austria Begins Withdrawing It's Peacekeepers From The Golan Heights

UN peacekeeping soldiers at Quneitra border crossing between Israel and Syria, June 11, 2013. Photo by Reuters

Austria Begins Withdrawing Peacekeepers From Golan -- Haaretz/Reuters

First group of Austrian troops moves from Quneitra crossing into Israeli part of Golan Heights; disengagement is expected to be completed within weeks.

Austria has begun withdrawing peacekeepers from the Golan Heights, winding down a four-decade mission due to spillover fighting from the Syrian civil war, the Austrian Defense Ministry said.

A Reuters journalist on the Golan said Austrian troops had already moved from the Quneitra crossing point to a United Nations base inside the Israeli-held part of the heights on Tuesday.

"The first 60 to 80 soldiers will land in Vienna tomorrow afternoon, so you can already see the withdrawal on site," Austrian Defense Ministry spokesman Andreas Strobl told Reuters in Vienna.

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Update: Austria’s UN peacekeepers begin pullout from Golan Heights amid fears of Syrian war spillover -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: This is a troubling development .... with the UN now requesting more time to find replacements.

Update: U.N. says Israel, Syria ceasefire jeopardized by Golan violence -- Reuters