TEL AVIV Ñ Syria has withdrawn the bulk of its troops from Lebanon's
central region toward the well-protected Bekaa Valley in preparation for an
Israeli counterattack against Hizbullah.
Israeli intelligence sources said the Syrian redeployment of thousands
of troops from the Beirut and coastal areas of Lebanon coincided with the
current Hizbullah offensive along the Israeli border. The sources said Syria
expects Israel to target Syrian troops and facilities in retaliation for
Hizbullah rocket and mortar attacks.
"The Syrian redeployment is tactical and seeks to remove troops from
exposed regions of Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley, where Syria has heavy
anti-aircraft defenses," a senior intelligence source said. "This time,
Syria is ready for an Israeli strike."
The Israeli intelligence assessment asserted that Damascus was stunned
by Israeli strikes on Syrian military installations in Lebanon in April
2001. The Syrian military has bolstered its surface-to-air missile umbrella,
including SA-4 and SA-7, in the Bekaa Valley and improved its arsenal of
Scud-class missiles. This has included tests of the Scud C and Scud D, both
of which can carry chemical warheads.
The Iranian-backed Hizbullah has steadily increased the intensity of
attacks along the northern border. On Sunday, Hizbullah fired mortars and
rockets toward Israeli military positions. Six Israeli soldiers were
injured.
"Our efforts to end Hizbullah attacks through diplomatic means has
failed," an Israeli military source said. "Syria has not responded to our
warnings and it is clear that Hizbullah has been given a green light from
Iran for a confrontation."
Hizbullah has an estimated 8-10,000 Katyusha rockets and short-range
missiles in southern Lebanon operated by Iranian military personnel. About a
quarter of them are able to strike the Haifa region and Israeli intelligence
sources said Hizbullah has prepared its rocket arsenal for an attack on
northern Israeli communities.
Israel has bolstered its military presence along the northern border in
what officials said could signal a massive attack on Hizbullah, Lebanese and
Syrian targets in Lebanon. The officials said Israel has mobilized
reservists for the operation.
