Stray Syrian bullets hit IDF jeep on Syria border

Battalion commander's jeep hit at northern border; Israel to appeal to UN over 3 Syrian tanks that entered demilitarized zone in Golan.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, TOVAH LAZAROFF
reserve soldiers 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
reserve soldiers 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
Stray Syrian bullets struck an IDF jeep on the northern border Monday night. The IDF said that the vehicle was damaged but that there were no injuries.
The army believes the bullets were fired in the course of battles near the border between the Syrian army and rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad’s regime.
“We have reported the incident to the United Nation Disengagement Force,” an army spokeswoman said.
According to one report, a battalion commander was traveling in the jeep, though the IDF would not confirm this.
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In a related development, Israel plans to lodge a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over three Syrian tanks that entered the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights on Saturday.
It follows a complaint the IDF filed Saturday with the UN peacekeeping forces in the area.
On Monday, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also attacked the move during a visit to Vientiane in Laos. He called on Syria not to take any steps that would endanger the ceasefire in that area.
“The security incident in the Golan Heights is worrisome,” he said.
The cease-fire there under the UN has significance for peace and security in that area as a whole, Westerwelle added.
According to Israeli media, the tanks were involved in fighting in the Syrian village of Be’er Ajam against rebels trying to overthrow Assad.
Errant Syrian mortars landed in Israel in September, spurring Israel to lodge a complaint with the UN observer force that monitors a longstanding, de facto truce between the two countries.
Reuters contributed to this report.