Israeli official says Syria could respond indirectly to Sept. 6 airstrike

www.chinaview.cn 2007-10-08 18:08:34 Print

JERUSALEM, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) --

A senior Israeli intelligence official has said that Damascus is liable to respond to Israel's September 6 air strike, but probably not via direct military action, local daily Ha'aretz reported on Monday.

Israel's Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin was quoted as saying that Syria does not want to escalate the situation and embark on a conflict with Israel right now.

But Yadlin told Sunday's cabinet meeting that he believed Damascus could work against Israel indirectly, and an operation by an ally such as Hezbollah in Lebanon was more likely.

On September 6, Syrian defense forces announced that they opened fire on an Israeli aircraft that entered northern Syria airspace and dropped ammunition.

Israel, which has maintained a blackout on the circumstances of the alleged flyover, lifted the gag order on the operation last week. Confirming that it has carried out the mysterious attack, the (Zionist) state, however, still declined to reveal any detail on the strike and its purpose.

Turkey says not to let airspace be used against Syria

www.chinaview.cn 2007-10-08 00:29:51 Print

DAMASCUS, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) --

Visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said here on Sunday that his country would not let Israel use its airspace to launch attack against Syria as tension remains high after an air raid by the (Zionist) state into deep Syria last month.

"Turkey will not let Turkish territory or airspace be used in any activity that could harm the security or safety of Syria," Babacan said at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Mu'allem before leaving Damascus.

On Sept. 6, Israeli aircrafts launched an air raid in northern Syria, which also reportedly violated the Turkish airspace.

Babacan said Ankara had no prior knowledge of the raid and he would ask responsible Israeli institutions to provide clarification on this issue during his tour there.

"The region is at a very dangerous and sensitive stage. We always urge all parties to reach solutions through dialogue and peaceful means," he said.

Meanwhile, the Turkish top diplomat mentioned that he chose Syria as his first destination abroad after assuming duties as foreign minister in August to highlight the importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties with the country.

Describing talks with Syrian officials as "useful and constructive", Babacan said they focused on bilateral relations and regional issues of common interest.

Babacan arrived here Saturday for a two-day official visit as part of his Middle East tour, which will also lead him to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian (occupied) territories.

Israel lifts censorship on airstrike in Syria

www.chinaview.cn 2007-10-02 20:53:00 Print

JERUSALEM, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) --

The Israeli authorities on Tuesday lifted a gag order on Israel's alleged airstrike against Syrian targets last month as Israeli media confirmed the mysterious attack.

(The Israel Occupation Forces (IOF), inaccurately dubbed as Israel Defense Forces, IDF) lifted censorship on the fact that the Israel Air Force had carried out an airstrike against a target deep in the Syrian territory on Sept. 6, Israel's mass circulation the Ha'aretz reported.

Even though the IOF had lifted the gag order, the IOF still declined to reveal any detail on the strike and its purpose.

An IOF spokeswoman told Xinhua that there was no information available or comments over the operation, which was reported by Western media as targeting a nuclear facility in northeastern Syria, allegedly built by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

But both Syria and the DPRK had vehemently denied any nuclear cooperation.

In an unusually strict measure, the IOF censor had prevented Israeli media from reporting on the strike, unless the reports were based on revelations in foreign press.

Israel is still maintaining censorship on the details of the airstrike, including the target, the outcome of the strike, and the decision-making process that led up to it.

On Sept. 6, the Syrian news agency SANA reported that an Israeli fighter jet had breached the Syrian airspace, flying north-east and breaking the sound barrier.

Two weeks after the strike, in an interview with Israel's Channel One news, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the Israeli operation in Syria.

Netanyahu, former Israeli prime minister, said he was briefed on Olmert's decision to carry out the operation in Syria, and he gave Olmert his backing and congratulated him.

Editor: Wang Yan

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