The Watchmen Watching

09 September 2007 - In the event of war against Syria, Israel will face a fundamental question: Should most efforts be directed at the Syrian missile and rocket arsenal in order to remove the threat against the home front, or should we focus on defeating the Syrian army, and as a result of that, end the war? The decision must be taken by the government and not by the army. This will determine emergency plans, equipment, training, and the use of force. By not making this decision, the IDF would be forced to prepare for the two alternatives and the decision will have to be taken only upon the outbreak of war under non-optimal pressure conditions.

First, the army’s job is to protect the country’s citizens – in light of the number and range of Syrian rockets and missiles, hundreds of civilians may be killed. Secondly, the perception of victory or defeat will be determined based on the state of the Israeli home front. Achievements on the war front will not overshadow the sense of failure and image of weakness to be created by sustained and grave home front damage.

Thirdly, the missile and rocket arsenal built by Assad Sr and enhanced by his son is the main arm of the Syrian army through which it hopes to achieve strategic balance vis-à-vis the IDF’s ground and air superiority. Therefore, this strategic arm must be the main target and we should act against it using the anti-missile Arrow system, “hunting operations” by the Air Force, and the extensive use of airborne troops using helicopters deep in Syrian territory.

09 September 2007 – Syria began calling up its reserve army units on Sunday, as tensions continue to rise between Syria and Israel over the violation of Syria's airspace last week. According to the An Nahar daily newspaper, Syria has begun "calling up its reserve force."
Meanwhile Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised the IDF for its courageous and unusual operation, but refrained from divulging details or referring directly to the alleged Israeli flyover. "I want to express my appreciation of the security forces courageous and unusual operations aimed at impeding the activities of terror groups," Olmert said at Sunday's cabinet meeting.

Speculation in the media over the reason Israeli war planes flew over Syria last week continues. Some reports claim that Israel wanted to film the sophisticated missiles Syria recently received from Russia, and others claimed that the aim was to film a secret Syrian military instillation. Whatever the reason, the fact that Israel chose to carry out an operation at such a sensitive time, shows that Prime Minister Olmert's government and the IDF have chosen determination and daring, over a waiting game and restraint.

Syria continues to mull over its response, however one cannot rule out the possibility that it will deploy its sleeper cells deployed throughout Europe to attack Israeli targets abroad.

Over the wekend the daily newspaper The Lebanese Star quoted Syrian media who warned that the country "possesses the means to respond ... so that it will deter Israel against proceeding with such unpredictable adventures." Analysts speculated such a foray could have been probing Syria's defenses or monitoring long-range missile bases. The report claimed that the Israeli flight path would have taken the jets near Iran, whose growing power and anti-Israel government sentiment concerns Israeli leaders.09/09/07

Comments: Update; the tensions continue to rise between Israel and Syria and now Syria is even calling up reserve units. A war between these two countries will probably drag the Hezbollah and Iran into a conflict and the repercussions would be felt globally. Oil is already at a nearly all time high and any disruptions to the oil will be felt by all. There are other news reports that say Syria may retaliate to the IAF flyover very soon and because this is embarrassing to the Syrian leadership, who knows what they might try to get even. As the news states above, Syria has a formidable missile arsenal and even though there military is not in the best shape, they are getting state of the art anti tank, anti aircraft missiles and other equipment from Russia. They are in better shape than they have been in years and Mr Assad might be willing to gamble that a conflict with Israel might boost his popularity at home. A conflict with Syria is coming and even if nothing happens over this latest IAF incident, a war with Syria is coming sooner or later. This is one event I will be keeping an eye on for sure.

Many commentators believe the scriptures of Isaiah 17:1cf were fulfilled when Syria (Damascus) was defeated back about 750BC. The one big problem with this is that the scripture doesn't say, "Defeated". Let's take a look at it...this is from http://www.biblegateway.com, NIV

1 An oracle concerning Damascus:
"See, Damascus will no longer be a city
but will become a heap of ruins.

2 The cities of Aroer will be deserted
and left to flocks, which will lie down,
with no one to make them afraid.

Did you catch that? "No longer be a city" and "become a heap of ruins". The imagery here is of ABSOLUTE destruction - this isn't a military defeat - it's complete annihilation. This has never happened. In fact Damascenes brag about their "5,000 year-old city". Thus, it is clear that this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. Are we seeing the fore-runner to this with tensions rising? I believe it is most definitely possible. God doesn't tell how the city will be destroyed and certainly He doesn't need any military to launch nuclear bombs to accomplish this destruction - let's face it, a 9.0 for a couple of minutes would flatten that city. BUT there are many records of how God did indeed use one military power to accomplish His will in destroying another military might - read the book of Isaiah for more details.

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As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem

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Weekend Ending September 09, 2007