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Israel attacks Islamic Jihad base in Syria
Israeli planes attacked an Islamic Jihad training base deep in Syria in retaliation for a suicide bombing at a Haifa restaurant that killed 19 people. The raid was the first Israeli attack on Syrian soil in more than two decades. The attack, which occurred late on Saturday or early on Sunday, was on the Ein Sahev camp, about 15 kilometres north-west of Damascus, according to Israeli officials. The base was used by several terrorist organisations, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the army said in a statement. "Syria has been warned more than once by the United States that it should close all the facilities of the Islamic Jihad," Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner said. "Apparently it has not done so. And it is our policy, after what happened [on Saturday], to go after Islamic Jihad wherever they are."
| Their UN ambassador used the post-9/11 Afghanistan example... |
The Syrian Government had no immediate response. A senior commander for the radical Damascus-based Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command told The Associated Press in Damascus that the camp had been one of its deserted bases, not an Islamic Jihad camp. A civilian guard had been injured, the commander said.
| "Also four puppies, six kittens, and two baby ducks..." |
The attack came several hours after a Palestinian woman wrapped with explosives entered a beachside restaurant in Haifa during the busy lunchtime hour and blew herself up, killing 19 people. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack. Western diplomats have said Syria was loathe to be seen to be betraying the Palestinian cause, and it also did not want to give up one of the few bargaining chips it still had in negotiations with Israel. Despite Syrian denials, the diplomats said Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders in Syria directed the groupsâ members in the West Bank and Gaza.
I guess somebody was surprised. We thought they'd hit Lebanon first:Event: Israel launches airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon
Group: IDF
Narrative: The Israelis have taken several shots from Hezbollah recently in northern Israel. The temptation is to strike back, the restraint is the pressure from Washington to "follow the roadmap". Which one wins out?
Window: 0 Months (10/19/03)
Probability 75% entered by Steve White on 8/20/03
Probability 70% entered by Watcher on 8/20/03
Probability 80% entered by tu3031 on 8/20/03
Probability 80% entered by True German Ally on 8/20/03
Probability 75% entered by Spot on 8/21/03
Probability 75% entered by Spot on 8/21/03
Probability 100% entered by Chuck Simmins on 8/22/03
Probability 65% entered by Super Hose on 9/17/03
Overall opinion is Probable (78%)
Current opinion is Probable (79%) And we thought it would be the U.S. that hit Syria...Event: U.S. Military Action Against ME Nation
Group: U.S.
Narrative: United States takes military action against some Middle Eastern country such as Iran or Syria.
Window: 1 Months (10/21/03)
Probability 80% entered by Chuck Simmins on 8/22/03
Probability 20% entered by True German Ally on 8/22/03
Probability 35% entered by Mike on 8/23/03
Probability 75% entered by Frank G on 8/24/03
Probability 20% entered by Watcher on 8/25/03
Probability 50% entered by tu3031 on 8/25/03
Probability 5% entered by Steve White on 9/3/03
Probability 65% entered by Super Hose on 9/17/03
Overall opinion is Possible (44%)
Current opinion is Possible (42%) But we weren't too far off... |
Posted by: Paul Moloney 2003-10-05 |
