In the Middle East today there were two ominous developments that have to be watched closely. First, Turkish troops on the border with Syria were attacked. Second, Israeli troops on the border with Syria were attacked. Neither the Turkish nor the Israeli troops were hurt, and no one knows if the attackers were hit by return fire (both the Turks and Israelis shot back.)
There have been sporadic events in the past where bullets or even mortar shells have strayed over the border and hit Turkey or the Golan Heights in Israel. These two attacks were different, though, since somebody was firing directly at the soldiers. Could it be that Assad's forces are trying to lure Turkey or Israel to invade Syria? Do they think that this would lead to all Syrians joining to oust the invaders? Could it be that the rebels are trying to get the Turks and Israelis to come in and finish off the Assad forces? It is not likely that either country would invade Syria as a result of some poorly aimed rifle fire.
Either Assad or the rebels are going down a dangerous road. Of course, it is possible that this all was just a coincidence, but I view that as highly unlikely. An attack on troops of Turkey or Israel alone might just be a stupid mistake. An attack on both is a strategy, an extremely stupid strategy, but a strategy nevertheless. Let's hope Turkey and Israel resist the temptation to send in their troops.
There have been sporadic events in the past where bullets or even mortar shells have strayed over the border and hit Turkey or the Golan Heights in Israel. These two attacks were different, though, since somebody was firing directly at the soldiers. Could it be that Assad's forces are trying to lure Turkey or Israel to invade Syria? Do they think that this would lead to all Syrians joining to oust the invaders? Could it be that the rebels are trying to get the Turks and Israelis to come in and finish off the Assad forces? It is not likely that either country would invade Syria as a result of some poorly aimed rifle fire.
Either Assad or the rebels are going down a dangerous road. Of course, it is possible that this all was just a coincidence, but I view that as highly unlikely. An attack on troops of Turkey or Israel alone might just be a stupid mistake. An attack on both is a strategy, an extremely stupid strategy, but a strategy nevertheless. Let's hope Turkey and Israel resist the temptation to send in their troops.
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