by Lilach Shoval
Army on high alert for possible terrorist attacks by Shuhada al-Yarmouk Brigades, affiliated with Islamic State, or other jihadist groups such as Nusra Front, affiliated with al-Qaida • Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot tours northern border.
From left: Chief of Staff
Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, Galilee Division Commander Brig. Gen. Amir
Baram, and GOC Northern Command Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi on the northern
border, Wednesday
|
Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit |
The Israeli military is preparing for the
possibility of a significant terrorist attack by jihadist radicals,
including the Islamic State-affiliated Shuhada al-Yarmouk Brigades, on
the Israel-Syria border. The army is also on high alert for possible
strategic terrorist attacks by other global jihadist groups such as the
Nusra Front, which is affiliated with al-Qaida.
Based on the modus operandi of the Nusra Front
and Islamic State, the Israel Defense Forces examined several possible
ways these groups could act against Israel. One scenario for an attack,
according to the assessments, is smuggling explosives-laden vehicles
into Israel. Additionally, officials were not negating the possibility
of a terrorist ground force infiltrating Israel, firing anti-tank
missiles at Israeli targets, planting explosive devices and launching
rockets.
The Shuhada al-Yarmouk Brigades controls the
border area shared by Jordan, Israel and Syria, extending over around 10
kilometers (6.2 miles). According to estimates, the organization
comprises some 600 fighters who impose their will on some 40,000 locals.
The organization itself is surrounded by numerous other rebel groups
with which it is fighting, including the Nusra Front, and is "besieged"
in a type of enclave in the southern Syrian Golan Heights.
Aside from the Shuhada al-Yarmouk Brigades,
Israel is also closely monitoring the many additional rebel groups
fighting one another on the Syrian Golan, which control about 90% of the
area bordering Israel.
At this stage, Israel believes that these
groups' resources are not focused on Israel, but the situation could
change in the future because they consider the Jewish state an enemy.
These concerns were highlighted over the weekend following a recorded
speech by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in which he threatened Israel directly.
With regard to Lebanon, the IDF has refused to
comment officially about its increased deployment along the northern
border, following Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's threats to avenge
the assassination of the terrorist Samir Kuntar, killed last week in
Damascus.
However, it appears the IDF has taken
Nasrallah's proclamations very seriously, using its electronic
surveillance units to keep close track of the Shiite terrorist
organization and its movements.
Amid the tense atmosphere, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi
Eizenkot, accompanied by GOC Northern Command Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi,
toured the Golan and Upper Galilee areas on Wednesday. During the tour,
Eizenkot visited several outposts along the border.
Lilach Shoval
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30801
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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