JERUSALEM: The Israeli army attacked Syrian government artillery on Saturday after fire across the armistice line hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and warned it would step up such retaliation in the future.

The Syrian government controls only part of the territory on the other side of the line, with the rest in the hands of rebel groups, one of them affiliated to the militant Islamic State (IS) group.

But the Israeli army said it would retaliate against the Syrian army, regardless of who was responsible for any fire and of whether it was intentional or not.

The Syrian defence ministry said that rebels had deliberately fired the rounds into Israeli-held territory to provoke the response against its forces.

The Israeli army said it identified four hits from five rounds launched at the northern Golan. It reported no casualties or damage.

“In response to the projectiles that hit Israel, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) targeted three artillery cannons of the Syrian regime in the Syrian Golan Heights,” it said.

“Any future occurrences will force the IDF to intensify its response,” the army said, adding that it held “the Syrian regime accountable for any aggression from within its territory.” The Syrian defence ministry said the Israeli riposte had targeted one of its positions near the armistice line in Quneitra province, causing “material damage”. It reported no casualties.

“The terrorists, acting at the behest of Israel, shelled empty ground to provide a pretext for this aggression,” the ministry added.

Israel has sought to avoid becoming directly involved in the six-year civil war in Syria, although it has systematically responded to fire across the armistice line on the Golan.

It also acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes against Hezbollah forces in Syria to stop what it calls advanced arms deliveries to the Lebanese Shia militant group, which is a key ally of the Damascus government.

Israel fought a devastating 2006 war with Hezbollah and has voiced concern that the group’s involvement in Syria risks opening up a new front.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2017