SYRIA PLANS WAR OF ATTRITION IN GOLAN

Syria Plans War of Attrition in the Golan Heights - Smadar Peri (Ynet News)
Syria has threatened to begin a war of attrition in the Golan Heights if Israel continues to reject Damascus' overtures.

In recent days Israel has received reports of increased Syrian presence on its side of the Golan Heights in preparation for a possible war. During the past year the Syrian government has encouraged settlement in the region, including many army officers who had lost their jobs following Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005. Should a military conflict erupt, these officers are expected to spearhead the acts of attrition against Israel.

Such a confrontation would also divert global attention from the international tribunal investigating Damascus' responsibility for the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. On Wednesday Assad said Syria was "determined to retrieve every grain of land in the Golan Heights. We are stronger than we have been in the past."