ALERT Syrian Tanks Advance To Beqaa Valley - Israel on High Alert

[tansau]

Syrian tanks advance to Lebanese Beqaa Valley border. Israel forces on high alert

Syria moved tank units up to the Lebanese Beqaa Valley border Tuesday, Oct. 7. DEBKAfile’s military sources report that this is Damascus’ second troop movement on the Lebanese border. For three weeks, commando units have been poised on the North Lebanese border. In the first deployment, Syrian tanks and armored vehicles were kept some 3-10 km to the rear of frontline commando forces. In the second, which is much closer to the Israeli border, armor and tanks have been deployed at the front.

These military movements sent Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak on an unannounced visit Tuesday to check the state of readiness of the IDF’s dispositions on the Syrian and Lebanese border barriers. He cautioned the outpost commanders to exercise maximum vigilance in the coming days. The border seems quiet, he said, but officers must to take care never to permit a repeat of the Yom Kippur exactly 35 years ago when Israel was caught napping by the Syrian invasion.

Our sources report that Washington, Jerusalem and Beirut are bracing for the possibility that Damascus will seize the moment of the total shutdown in Israel for 25 hours from Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 8, to Thursday night, Oct. 9, for Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and launch its military forces against northern Lebanon or the Golan.

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5638

 

[RobinYyes]

If this is the case, pray. Then? brace yourselves.

 

[Kickapoo Kicker]

I usually take everything from Debka with a grain of salt. They have been known to overblow things quite a bit.

At the same time, they have been very accurate.

The fact that Yom Kippur begins at sundown tomorrow combined with the state of the world right now, makes me think this would be a very opportune time for Syria launch an attack.

Just gonna keep preppin'

 

[Housecarl]

Nothing on BBC yet, nor Haaretz.com.

 

[Cruiser]

Somebody trying to get the crude price back up?

 

[Housecarl]

Yesterday story of U.S. warning to Syria...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1027020.html
Last update - 20:44 06/10/2008
U.S. warns Syria against sending ground troops into Lebanon
By Reuters

piece about Hezbollah....
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1026920.html
Last update - 16:21 06/10/2008
Hezbollah source: 'Big surprise' awaits Israel if it attacks Lebanon
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent

and a warning from NATO regarding Israel and Iran...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1026981.html
Last update - 00:07 07/10/2008
NATO chief: Given Iran nukes, we can't ask Israel to disarm
By Reuters

 

[BoatGuy]

Watch out for a coordinated Russian and Iranian attack at the same time that Syria strikes.. Just a guess.

 

[momof23goats]

Watch out for a coordinated Russian and Iranian attack at the same time that Syria strikes.. Just a guess.

that is what i am thinking also

 

[tansau]

Additional sources:

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-07-voa26.cfm

Syria Massing Troops Along Border with Lebanon
By Edward Yeranian
07 October 2008

Eyewitness reports say that Syria is continuing to mass troops along its border with Lebanon, prompting the warning from the United States not to meddle or to intervene militarily.

Fresh reports of a Syrian troop buildup along Lebanon's eastern Beka'a Valley are ringing alarm bells in Beirut and Washington.

Quoting Lebanese security sources, the Arab daily al-Hayat, reports the Syrian army has deployed tanks to the Beka'a Valley border town of al-Qa'a. Eyewitnesses also report that the Syrian Army has dug trenches and erected earthen barriers.

 

[maric]

Somebody trying to get the crude price back up?

No, they're going to start WW3.

 

[RobinYyes]

Watch out for a coordinated Russian and Iranian attack at the same time that Syria strikes.. Just a guess.

If Israel doesn't hit first. Even though Yom Kippur begins tomorrow at sunset in Israel- they do have in place military who can still ...um participate during high holidays if needed.

Also note the US is not telling Israel to stand down.

I take Debka with a grain of salt as well, but that doesn't mean that there isn't TONS of stuff going on, setting up, and getting in place. We don't have this much fire power in the area for nothin'.

 

[Mark Armstrong]

Sure would be nice to have Flying Dutchman add to this thread.

 

[almost ready]

confirmation

http://www.albawaba.com/en/news/236581

Syria intensifies troop deployment along Lebanon border

Posted: 07-10-2008 , 13:01 GMT



Syria on Tuesday has reportedly expanded its troop buildup near Lebanon's northern border, deploying tanks on its frontier with the northern Bekaa Valley. The pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, citing high-ranking security sources, said Syria has also deployed tanks along the border facing the northern Bekaa town of al-Qaa.


Al Hayat quoted witnesses coming from northern Bekaa as saying Syria deployed vanguards along the border at noon Monday. They said the deployment coincided with the digging of trenches and setting up tents for its soldiers.

***

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.


The witnesses said they saw Syrian forces setting up checkpoints along the area of deployment. They quoted people crossing on foot from Syrian territory into northern Bekaa as saying that the entire crossings that link Homs with the Bekaa Valley had been placed under Syrian control.

***
Anyone have a clue what this is about? I've heard that Syria is poised to invade n. Lebanon, and perhaps retake some of that, but now it sounds like they're headed for Israel.

 

[shadowboxer]

Sure would be nice to have Flying Dutchman add to this thread.

+1000

 

[maric]

Anyone have a clue what this is about?

They probably figure the meteorite last night was their go signal from allah to take out Isreal.

 

[mt4design]

Watch out for a coordinated Russian and Iranian attack at the same time that Syria strikes.. Just a guess.

I thought the same thing.

Didn't Russia have naval vessels recently at Syrian ports?

Rearming with some new gadgets maybe?

Mike

 

[Strut]

a go signal?

Didn't Egypt make some kind of statement yesterday? Something about the spirit of October with a reference to the Yom Kippur war?

 

[Mark Armstrong]

On a side note, Israel expressed concern for Syria's finances:

http://www.metimes.com/Politics/200...structive_mideast_role_to_olmert_reports/afp/

"Olmert's defence minister, Ehud Barak, on Sunday urged Russia not to upset the strategic balance in the Middle East with arms sales to Muslim countries.

During a telephone conversation last month, Olmert told Medvedev it would be a waste for Syria to spend billions of dollars on buying weapons that Israel would eventually destroy, Israeli media reported."

 

[TheDoberman]

Digging trenches? Oh my gosh! What the heck is going on? Syria continues to push the envelope. They must feel emboldened with that Russian ship in their port. The question is; Has there been some serious intel gathered by both countries that war is on the horizon? With the russian ship and posible deployment of the S300 system, and the American Anti-missile system equiped with a hundred or more troops guarding Isreals' nuclear sites, I am truly concerned. And to think that a war might start in the middle of an economic war. Talk about a perfect storm. Jesus save us all.

 

[mt4design]

Is it just me, or based on the hairs standing up on the back of my neck, I get a sense that chess pieces are moving around the board to attempt a check mate.

Are they telegraphing a punch here? We see the right hand, but where is the left?

Mike

 

[TheSearcher]

On a side note, Israel expressed concern for Syria's finances:

http://www.metimes.com/Politics/200...structive_mideast_role_to_olmert_reports/afp/

"Olmert's defence minister, Ehud Barak, on Sunday urged Russia not to upset the strategic balance in the Middle East with arms sales to Muslim countries.

During a telephone conversation last month, Olmert told Medvedev it would be a waste for Syria to spend billions of dollars on buying weapons that Israel would eventually destroy, Israeli media reported."

Nice.

 

[Palmetto]

Maybe this is what the bots were warning about on Oct. 15th. They said "a military accident" which could mean anything.

It could also start WWIII.

P

 

[Jean B]

Isa. 17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

They better look out. God said thousands of years ago how this would go.

 

[Marthanoir]

Watch out for a coordinated Russian and Iranian attack at the same time that Syria strikes.. Just a guess.

Definately, also watch out for various Russian proxies around the world opening up a second front,

 

[almost ready]

that "digging trenches"

Digging trenches? Oh my gosh! What the heck is going on? Syria continues to push the envelope. They must feel emboldened with that Russian ship in their port. The question is; Has there been some serious intel gathered by both countries that war is on the horizon? With the russian ship and posible deployment of the S300 system, and the American Anti-missile system equiped with a hundred or more troops guarding Isreals' nuclear sites, I am truly concerned. And to think that a war might start in the middle of an economic war. Talk about a perfect storm. Jesus save us all.

comment raised the hair on my neck, too.

 

[Stropes]

Watch out for a coordinated Russian and Iranian attack at the same time that Syria strikes.. Just a guess.

Ezekiel 38 & 39

 

[homepark]

Russia and Iran attacking Israel? No, they are not that stupid.

 

[Billy Tudor]

Russia and Iran attacking Israel? No, they are not that stupid.

Please...please...PLEASE LORD let this be Debka fearmongering. What in the absolute holy hell would either Russia, Iran, or Syria have to gain from this...?

 

[Billy Tudor]

comment raised the hair on my neck, too.

+1

 

[Perpetuity]

I'm hoping this is Debka doing what Debka does best...overblowing a situation with a fair amount of fiction.

If not, yowzer. Or would that be YOWZER!!!

 

[Jean B]

Still looking for other sources. Israel may want to keep this quiet. You know they know what's going on.

Stropes, Ezekiel 38 & 39 Not until after a peace treaty IMHO.

Exekiel 38:11
You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars

.

Isreal has its enemies breathing down their necks. 40,000 rockets are aimed at them. They are not unsuspecting at this time. However, after a peace treaty, look out!

More like,

Isa. 17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

 

[TKD_Kid]

No, they're going to start WW3.

AGREE

I think that it is almost check mate

 

[Housecarl]

Posted for fair use....
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1027415.html

Last update - 01:35 08/10/2008
Moscow makes no promises on arms sales to Syria, Iran
By Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies , By Yossi Melman

MOSCOW-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday he received assurances that Russia would not allow Israel's security to be threatened, but offered no indication he won the concrete promises he sought on Russian arms sales or sanctions on Iran.

After meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Olmert also said Israel was not prepared to tolerate a situation in which Iran possesses nuclear weapons, but will not take the lead in preventing it from gaining nuclear capability.

Olmert did not receive a clear commitment that Russia would refrain from supplying Syria with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles or sell advanced weapons to Iran. However, he said he succeeded in getting Medvedev to understand his fears that Russian-made missiles and other technology could fall into the hands of anti-Israeli militants in the region.

"My feeling is the Russian government understands well the Israeli position and is aware of the possible influence such supplying could have on stability in the region," Olmert told reporters traveling with him.

The two leaders agreed to open a permanent line of dialogue on defense issues and set up a "strategic team" to continue discussing the weapons sales.

"Russia's policy will continue to be that it would not hurt Israeli security under any circumstances," Olmert said Medvedev told him in the course of a two-hour meeting at the Kremlin. "We agree to upgrade our economic, defensive and strategic ties. We agreed to set up a new mechanism to ensure continuous contacts on these issues," he said.

Olmert distanced himself from talk of attacking Iran, saying: "I have never announced that [Israel] intends to attack Iran and I have not presented a specific plan for a military operation and I have not suggested a date for this. On the contrary, I've noted that there is exaggeration in Israeli statements on the subject."

Israel is particularly concerned about sales of anti-aircraft missile systems, which could threaten Israel's air superiority over Iran and Syria and make it easier for Iran to protect its nuclear sites.

Olmert also informed the Russian leader of Israel's decision to return the Sergei Compound in Jerusalem to Russian ownership, a decision Medvedev openly praised.

Olmert invited Medvedev to visit Jerusalem. The Russian president said he would be happy to accept the invitation, as he has not been to the country in a long time.

Meanwhile, Olmert refused to say whether Israel had made a strategic decision about what the country would do in case of another war with Hezbollah. The head of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, was recently quoted as saying that in another such war, Israel would attack aggressively and bomb Lebanese villages. Olmert would not comment on the content of Shamni's remarks, saying: "Strong countries do not need to make announcements every few days, and therefore there is no need now to announce anything. The GOC of the Northern Command said what is his responsibility and I am speaking as the prime minister here, and that should be enough."

 

[Red Baron]

DEBKA = 0

 

[Warthog]

Please Read and Heed!

Event 1. Isaiah 17: An Oracle Concerning Damascus
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:

"Among ancient cities of the world, Damascus is perhaps the oldest continuously inhabited. Its name, Dimashq in Arabic ... derives from Dimashka, a word of pre-Semitic etymology, suggesting that the beginnings of Damascus go back to a time before recorded history."4
Isaiah, however, prophesied that in the future Damascus will no longer be a city. Isaiah chapter 17 reads:
"An oracle concerning Damascus: 'See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer* will be deserted..." (Isaiah 17:1-2 NIV)5

* Aroer is in south central Jordan.6
"...and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid. The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,"* (Isaiah 17:2-3 NIV)


* The land of Ephraim is the central West Bank.7 Currently, Palestinian Arabs populate this area.
"...and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram* will be like the glory of the Israelites," declares the LORD Almighty." (Isaiah 17:3 NIV)

* Aram refers to the Syrians.8
"In that day the glory of Jacob will fade*;…" (Isaiah 17:4 NIV)

* 'Jacob' represents the Israelites.

"...the fat of his body will waste away. It will be as when a reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the grain with his arm— as when a man gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is beaten, leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches, four or five on the fruitful boughs," declares the LORD, the God of Israel. In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made. In that day their strong cities, which they left because of the Israelites*,9 will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth." (Isaiah 17:4-9 NIV)

* This highlighted statement indicates that the Israelites are combatants in this prophecy.

" And all will be desolation. You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.*" (Isaiah 17:9-10 NIV)


* This may be the reason God allows the events of this chapter to happen.
"Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing* in the day of disease and incurable pain." (Isaiah 17:10-11 NIV)

* This passage may give a clue to the time of year this prophecy will happen.
The next verses describe an ensuing uproar of many nations and God's judgment on those nations:
"Oh, the raging of many nations— they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples— they roar like the roaring of great waters! Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when he rebukes them they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale. In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us." ( Isaiah 17:12-14 NIV)
The above final verses of the chapter transition Isaiah's oracle concerning Damascus into a prophecy of a multinational alliance that rises against Israel to "loot and plunder."

 

[sparkky]

Please...please...PLEASE LORD let this be Debka fearmongering. What in the absolute holy hell would either Russia, Iran, or Syria have to gain from this...?

welllll,,,,,,,,
how 'bout making the price of oil sky rocket due to uncertainty in the middle east with winter coming on and most of the west in major economic trouble.
then Russia can jack with the oil pipeline and hold NATO/Europe hostage for energy to bolster their own sagging economic system. and maybe recapture influence over some of the lost areas of the USSR of the past.

for starters.
just thinking out loud "worst case". desperate times call for desperate measures, just ask our own FED.

 

[DoomBuggy]

Strategically a good time to make a move, considering the many nations of the world's focus on staving off economic calamity.

Isaiah 17 was the first thing that came to my mind as well.

 

[kozanne]

Ezekiel 38 & 39

Any time now. If I see it, well...wow!

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

=


FWIW:

Syria has been massing troops hard against the southern Lebanon border for the past week to ten days now. At last account they had over 15K troops moving into position.

There are several other developements which lend to the seriousness of this situation - If Assad orders the troops to advance (beyond a certain point).


=

 

[BoatGuy]

Ezekiel 38 & 39

My guess as well, my friend.