IDF reinforces Golan border, fearing Syrian terror attack

Move follows incident in which 500 Syrian soldiers cross demilitarized zone.

 The Israel Defense Forces is reinforcing its defensive positions along the Syrian border on the Golan Heights.

The IDF fears that terror organizations will take advantage of events in Syria taking place on the Golan and will attempt to attack Israeli communities near the border. The steps include strengthening fences and barriers at the border.

 In addition, the IDF has dug a wide trench to prevent vehicles from approaching towns. The various areas that have been identified as sensitive fall within the sector of the IDF’s 36th Division.

The Northern Command’s biggest fear is of a terror attack that penetrates inside Israel in which terrorists strike civilians on the Golan.

The operations branch has also prepared plans to deal with a potential influx of refugees fleeing from Syria, who may very well ask for asylum in Israel. ‏

The IDF’s reinforcement of the border comes after an incident which took place nearly two weeks ago, in which Syrian army forces crossed the demilitarized zone near the border.

Following the incident, in which 500 soldiers and 50 vehicles crossed into the demilitarized zone, Israel filed a formal complaint to the UN secretary general and to the president of the UN's Security Council, warning that the event may have serious ramifications.

Concern in Israel over the situation in Syria, particularly President Bashar Assad’s stockpiles of chemical weapons, is growing by the day.