Posted on 08/16/2003 12:41:54 PM PDT by Blennos
Israel TV Channel 1 reported Friday night that following last week's Hizbullah shelling in the north the Air Force dispatched fighter jets to Syria which buzzed the palace of Syrian President Bashir Assad in a warning to rein in Hizbullah.
The warplanes reportedly swooped in low over Assad's summer palace in the port city of Latikia where Assad was at the time. Assad reportedly saw and heard the jets, the TV reported.
The aircraft later buzzed Beirut, but the message was apparently received and Hizbullah kept their anti-aircraft cannons in the north quiet.
The IDF Spokesman refused to officially confirm or deny the report. Military sources said Saturday, however, stressed that Israel did send the Syrian leader "direct message" that it held Assad's government responsible for silencing Hizbullah.
The incident took place last Sunday after Hizbullah anti-aircraft shells hit the northern border town of Shlomi killing 16-year-old Haviv Dadon. Air Force jets retaliated by blowing up the Hizbullah battery.
Buzzing Assad at his palace would require excellent real time intelligence.
Israel had 2,700 units in 2002. I expect that they have a few more by now.
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