Syria Expected To Increase Pressure

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 11

Syria Expected To Increase Pressure

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

DAMASCUS, March 20.

Syria has decided to join the war of attrition against Israel and make Israeli occupation of its Golan Heights region as costly as possible* regardless of reprisals, according to the Associated Press.

Knowledgeable political! sources in Damascus said that I continual attacks in the: Heights by Syrian army troops and Palestinian guerrillas could be expected in the months to come. “This time it’s not just a manoeuvre by the Syrians for local consumption <~r to impress other Arab countries.” said one source close to developments in Dainasmus. “The Government is determined to keep up the pressure on the Israelis whatever the cost.”

The new belligerence, after more than two years of quiet along the Syrian-Israeli ceasefire line, began early last month when the undulating wheatfields of the Heights reverberated to the heaviest gunfire since the Israelis captured the region in the 1967 war.

Syrian and Israeli tanks, artillery and aircraft clashed for four days In succession, the Syrians initiating the engagements. More recently a Syrian reconnaissance patrol penetrated 22 miles behind Israeli lines.

It is an open secret in Damascus that Palestinian guerrillas, previously under tight Syrian control, have been allowed unrestricted freedom of action in the Heights since January. A radio commentary after Israel’s first deep penetration reprisal raid into Syria on Sunday made the Government’s intentions explicit: “The enemy is deluding himself if he thinks such forays will ensure stability and calm for occupation forces in the Golan Heights. This is Syrian territory occupied by the ei.emy and it is the duty of all Syrians and Arabs ... to struggle for its liberation at all costs, both by regular and irregular forces.”