Syria has been calling up reservist soldiers in recent days in anticipation of an Israeli strike against Hizbullah. Damascus believes such an operation may include hits against Syria.
Specifically, Syrian sources who declined to give their names say Damascus believes Israel will strike Hizbullah, and then enter Syrian territory from Lebanon. The Beirut-Damascus Road is widely held to be a strategic target from which to curtail arms flow to Hizbullah.
The Syrian Government has raised the security level of the country, and is conducting large-scale drills that are aimed to both ready civilian populations for the prospect of war, while also establishing military strategy to combat theoretical Israeli troops.
Officials in Damascus see statements made by those in the Israeli Government as signs that Israel is preparing its own population for the possibility of fighting. Syria attributes statements made by Israeli officials toward Hizbullah as 'incitement.'
At the same time, Hizbullah has called repeatedly for Israel's destruction, and has been receiving shipments of powerful missiles from Syria and Iran that can travel 300km. It is believed that Hizbullah has 10,000 long-range missiles, which can reach all major Israeli cities except Be'er Sheva, and 20,000 short-range missiles that can travel roughly 70km.
Hizbullah blames the killing of senior terrorist leader Imad Mugniyah on the Israeli Mossad. A report compiled by Syrian officials that is expected to link Israel to Mugniyah's death will be released this weekend. Israel has denied responsibility.
Mugniyah killed hundreds of civilians, many of them Jews and Israelis, during his 30-year career in terror. He was behind the bombing of the Jewish Center and Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, the hijacking of a TWA jet, and the bombing of a housing complex for US Marines in Saudi Arabia. Mugniyah also incited hatred in the Muslim world of Jews.
Israel has braced for Hizbullah attacks ever since the thirty day mourning period ended for Imad Mugniyah. Islamic Law requires Muslims to be peaceful while mourning. Hizbullah has vowed to strike Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide. 4/2/2008
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