Israeli and American officials are accusing Syria and Iran of stirring the Lebanese organization Hizbullah into waging a battle that will rock the region.
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch said the two countries are pushing Hizbullah to a conflict, the London-based Al-Quds Al-‘Arabi reported. He said the recent clashes with Hizbullah on Israel’s northern borders might be part of a Syrian attempt to destabilize the region and disrupt current international pressure on Syria.
Hizbullah rockets hit Israeli army outposts on Monday in what appears to be an attempt to up the ante in the region. Israeli forces fired back and killed four Hizbullah fighters. The U.S. called the attack a “deliberate provocation.”
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz also accused Syria and Iran of inciting Hizbullah.
“Both countries are trying to escalate the situation along the northern border to deviate the spotlight from Syria, which is under intense pressure, to Israel,” he said.
Israel’s Army Radio reported on Wednesday morning that Israeli aircraft are distributing leaflets over Lebanon to convey to Lebanese residents that ”Hizbullah is getting you into a battle that you’re not prepared for.”
Syria holds sway over Hizbullah, designated a terrorist organization by the United States.
Syria is under international pressure to comply with United Nations Resolution 1636 which demands it cooperates with the commission investigating the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.
Iran is said to provide the main funding for Hizbullah and Tehran is also under international pressure over its nuclear program.