Israeli media hears Syrian call for war

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By Stan Goodenough
October 23, 2007

A speech by the Syrian chief of staff was interpreted by Israeli journalists Tuesday as a call for that country's air force to prepare for war with Israel.

The Ynetnews website quoted General Ali Khabib telling graduating pilots they need to "be prepared to fend off all external aggression that seeks to harm the homeland."

"Syria is interested in gaining back of all of its rights – including the return of all of its territory and sovereignty," the general said, referring to the Golan Heights which Israel captured and extended sovereignty over four decades ago after the Syrians used it as a platform from which to attack the Jewish state.

Syria occupied the heights for just 19 years.

Tension between the two countries has ebbed and flowed since earlier this year when Israeli intelligence services first reported that Damascus dictator Bashar el-Assad was looking for a fight.

In the ensuing months, IDF tank units have on the Golan have been bolstered, and Israel has carried out a number of large-scale military exercises under the very noses of the Syrians.

For its part, Syria has reportedly been deploying SCUD surface-to-surface missiles –some reports say with non-conventional warheads - as well as advanced Russian-made anti-aircraft batteries, in readiness for conflict. Documents of state have been moved out of the Syria capital, and areas that for four decades have been virtually no-man's-land - like the town of Kuneitra - have suddenly come back to life.

While some Syrian officials have said that their country is only preparing for a defensive war in the event of an Israeli attack, other voices have been more belligerent, with some threatening to start a war of attrition similar to the Lebanese Hizb'allah in order to drive Israel off the Golan.

Analysts believe Assad may need to make some sort of military move to quell accusations of weak leadership at home.

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