Many believe the “Prophetic War” of Psalm Chapter 83 is beginning to take place in the Middle East
Israel’s air strike in Syria may be a taste of things to come, say security experts. If Israel is considering an air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities it must ensure Hezbollah, an Islamist group in Lebanon and a proxy for Iran, does not get its hands on weapons that could cause the Jewish state problems — like anti-aircraft missiles. “I would anticipate that this isn’t going to be the first Israeli air strike designed to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities over the next year,” said Gary Gambill, associate fellow at the Middle East Forum. “If Israel is considering a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, then Hezbollah’s capacity to retaliate is going to be an important factor.” U.S. officials said Israel targeted a convoy just inside Syria Wednesday believed to be carrying anti-aircraft weapons bound for Hezbollah. The Syrian military, however, claimed Israeli jets crossed into their country over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and attacked a scientific research centre near Damascus. Ali Abdul-Karim Ali, the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon, said Damascus “has the option and the capacity to surprise in retaliation.” Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi called the attack a clear violation of Syrian sovereignty. Russia, Syria’s most important international ally, said the raid appeared to be an unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation. The attack has inflamed regional tensions already running high over Syria’s 22-month-old civil war. “It’s a sign that the Syrian civil war is getting worse because it’s drawing in countries,” said John Mundy, a retired Canadian diplomat who was the country’s last ambassador to Iran. SOURCE
Tensions over the Israeli airstrike on Syrian territory appeared to increase on Thursday as Syria delivered a letter to the United Nations declaring its right to self-defense and Israel’s action was condemned not only by longstanding enemies, includingIran and Hezbollah, but also by Russia. Israeli officials remained silent about their airstrike in Syrian territory on Wednesday, a tactic that experts said was part of a longstanding strategy to give targeted countries face-saving opportunities to avoid worsening a conflict. But Syria’s own confirmation of the attack may have undercut that effort. “From the moment they chose to say Israel did something, it means someone has to do something after that,” said Giora Eiland, a former national security adviser in Israel and a longtime military leader. But other analysts said that Syria’s overtaxed military was unlikely to retaliate and risk an Israeli onslaught that could tip the balance in its fight against the 22-month Syrian uprising. They also said Syria’s ally Hezbollah was loath to provoke conflict with Israel as it sought to maintain domestic calm in neighboring Lebanon. MORE
Iran has stepped up its military and financial aid to the Syrian government, departing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned. Mrs Clinton, who steps down on Friday, said there were also signs that Russia continues to supply Syria with money and “equipment”. A spilling-over of the conflict into neighbouring countries was “within the realm of the possible now”, she said. Her comments came amid contradictory claims of an Israeli strike in Syria. The Syrian army said Israeli war planes had bombed a military research centre north-west of Damascus, but the US and others said lorries carrying weapons bound for Lebanon were hit. Israel has maintained silence about the incident, but Syria has made a formal complaint to UN, saying it reserves the right to defend itself. Meanwhile, Russia and Iran have strongly denounced the attack. In her final press interview as US Secretary of State, Mrs Clinton said one of Iran’s “highest priorities” was keeping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power. ”We believe they have acted on that by sending in more personnel, not only to help Assad, but to support and advise military security forces,” she told reporters. Mrs Clinton added that Iran had increased the quality of its arms sent to Syria because “Assad is using up his weaponry”. She expressed similar concerns with regards to Russia’s involvement in the conflict. ”We have reason to believe that the Russians continue to supply financial and military assistance in the form of equipment,” she said. Mrs Clinton declined to comment on the alleged Israeli strike but voiced fears that the conflict could worsen or spread.
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