Israel beefs up Golan forces

Israel’s military increased its forces on the northern border with Syria following advances by Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights region.

The rebels reportedly began entering the demilitarized zone between Syria and Israel on March 9 and threatened to retake the Golan. Most of Syrian President Hafez Assad’s troops have left the area, Ynet reported.

Rebels shot firearms near the Israeli border in the demilitarized zone.

“We are now in front of the occupied Golan, the blessed land sold by Hafez Assad,” a rebel says in a video clip posted online March 10, according to Ynet.

“We will free the Golan and it will return to the free Syrian people, with the help of Allah,” the rebel said.

That same day, the rebels released into Jordan 21 Filipino U.N. peacekeeping troops who had been held for four days. — jta