IRAQ ON ALERT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30216, 22 August 1963, Page 13

IRAQ ON ALERT

Syria-Israel Crisis (N.ZP.A.-Reuter— Copyright) BAGDAD, Aug. 21. Iraq's armed forces have been put on the alert to give immediate military support to Syria in the event of aggression from Israel, it was announced in a special broadcast by Bagdad Radio this morning. The Iraqi National Council said all Iraq's armed forces had been placed at the disposal of the Syrian National Council. Israeli and Syrian forces clashed in the air and on the ground yesterday, and Israel called for the United Nations Security Council to consider "Syrian aggression.” News of two new ground clashes and an air battle came as the Israel Cabinet met to consider an incident last night in which two Israelis died north of the Sea of Galilee. The Cabinet decided to demand the urgent convening of the Security Council. According to Syrian Army sources in Damascus 15 Israeli armoured cars opened fire on Syrian outposts at Dardara, Machine-gun firing lasted for more than two hours No casualties were reported. Sources said Syria had also filed an urgent complaint with the United Nations Armistice Supervision Organisation. In Jerusalem, Israeli Army sources said firing broke out again yesterday afternoon in the Huleh Valley area. Syrian outposts and an Israeli force exchanged fire in the area on Sunday. Israeli Mirage jet fighters hit at least one Syrian MiG 17 jet in a dog-fight in the Sea of Galilee area, Israeli military sources said. The Director-General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry (Dr. Haim Yahil) said in Jerusalem that Israel regarded the border situation as "extremely grave and a real danger to peace. Action by the United Nations is essential if serious consequences are to be averted,” he said.