Syria conflict: Army 'retakes Golan Heights crossing'

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

The Syrian army has taken control of a UN-monitored crossing in the Golan Heights which had been overrun by rebel forces, Israeli military sources say.

Tanks and armoured vehicles were used in the raid at Quneitra, near Israeli-held territory, the BBC was told.

The fighting came a day after Syrian troops - backed by Lebanon's Hezbollah militants - retook the key town of Qusair after a three-week siege.

The battle for Qusair has highlighted Hezbollah's growing role in the crisis.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22795655

[another_liberal]

1. Who would have thought six months ago . . .

Just a few months ago, I expected daily to hear Assad had fled to Iran or Russia, somewhere like that. Now he is on a real roll. No more Syrian Generals or Cabinet Members switching sides to join the rebels. Towns are being retaken left and right. The rebels are barely able to keep from fighting each other. Whichever side you support, or if you support no side, it is impossible to deny that the last few weeks have seen a truly remarkable turnaround for the Syrian President. Who would have thought six months ago that the Syrian Army would still have the will and the backbone to reestablish its control over the border with Israel?

[rastaone]

2. Assad should hold on to that ticket to Iran/Russia

We have to wait for the wests next move after they confirmed the used of Sarin gas by the Army. If they decide to act like they did in Libya, Assad is toast. Right now, its a wait and see if they retaliate. Obama is super reluctant to get anymore involved by France and Britain was to get us in.

[John2]

5. No he is

not. If the West enters the War, then Iran has already claim that is their red line. And you don't know what Russia and China may do. The War will escalate into probably a World War.

There are sources that claims Hezbullah has over 50,000 fighters. Iran claims 75,000. That few thousand they used in Syria, was only a drop in the bucket of Hezbullah forces. The reason the Lebanese army want disarm them is because Hezebullah is more powerful than the Lebanese Army. No matter what you think about Hezbullah, they have shown themselves to be very good fighters.

Iraq's Shiite government would probably side with Iran. Iran's Army is enormous, and they have increased their military capabilities since the Iran\Iraq War. It is a country of nearly 80 million people.

It will not be another Libya or even Iraq, because of Assad's Allies, and he has a more capable military than both. You will not just be talking about the Syrian Air Force and Navy, if it includes Iran's forces. If it draws in Russian military, just forget about some easy victory just like those other miscalculations. That ego will be our defeat. It usually does when you begin to think you are invincible. The last fool to think so was Hitler with his War machine. It always come from the Rightwingers.

There is another report also that I have seen concerning either Bahrain or Yemen. Most lilely it was Bahrain sent a small force of rebel Shiite fighters to help Assad. They are also trying to overthrow, the Government of Bahrain. I don't know how true that is but it was a Shiite rebel force of over 100,000 fighters rebelling against that Government. There is a lot more fighting going on in the Middle East than just Syria. The West entering would just escalate, because right now that entire Region is a powder keg, waiting to spread.

[another_liberal]

6. Powder keg indeed!

The Middle East is currently more like a hydrogen bomb on hair trigger.

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It is important to remind Americans just how dangerous, costly and bloody our being directly involved in the Syrian conflict could become.

[penultimate]

9. I don't think the west is all that eager to help the rebels these days though.

[sulphurdunn]

4. This conflict is taking on all

the color of a Sunni/Shia power struggle, probably bankrolled by Saudi Arabia and Iran.

[another_liberal]

8. The Saudis have the same problem we do . . .

The Saudis have much the same problem we do. They want to support the anti-Assad forces, but the most effective fighters against the government are closely allied with al Qaeda groups. The Saudi Royals aren't eager to give much help to bin Laden's boys any more, even if they are Sunnis.

[sulphurdunn]

10. It's fortunate

that the lines are drawn so clearly.

[Bosonic]

3. Hmmm

BREAKING: Austria announces it is withdrawing UN peacekeepers from the Golan Heights.

https://twitter.com/AP/status/342626920061612032

[Bosonic]

7. Putin proposes Russian peacekeepers replace Austrians in Golan Heights

Putin proposes Russian peacekeepers replace Austrians in Golan Heights

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-07/219699-putin-proposes-russian-peacekeepers-replace-austrians-in-golan-heights.ashx#axzz2VXB3us4s