IAF attacks in Syria after spillover fire, Syrian source says Israel helping rebels

If confirmed the mortar was fired from Syria, it would be the third shooting into Israel this week.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Updated: SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 00:15
Smoke rises during fighting in the village of Ahmadiyah in Syria, as seen from the Israeli side of the border fence between Syria and the Golan Heights [File] (photo credit: REUTERS)
Smoke rises during fighting in the village of Ahmadiyah in Syria, as seen from the Israeli side of the border fence between Syria and the Golan Heights [File]
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Israel Air Force struck Assad regime artillery guns on Saturday in response to a stray mortar shell fired from Syria exploding on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights earlier in the day.
The IDF said in a statement that holds the Syrian regime “responsible for what occurs in its territory,” and it will “not tolerate any attempt to harm the State of Israel’s sovereignty and the security of its residents.”
It was the third time in a week that the air force responded to stray Syrian fire.
On Thursday, the IAF also targeted Syrian artillery units after a stray shell hit some 15 kilometers inside Israeli territory.
That shell too was fired in the course of civil war battles in southern Syria.
Last Sunday, the IAF also attacked Syrian artillery following stray fire into Israel.
On June 7, shortly after becoming defense minister, Avigdor Liberman toured the northern border, and said, “The role of the IDF here is to safeguard the quiet on the northern border, and that is what we are doing.
We have no other plans, other than to safeguard the quiet, and I hope that everyone understands that well, including our neighbors.”
Liberman added, “In any case, I would not advise anyone to try and test us.”