IDF responds to spillover rocket fire from Syria

Responding to fire from Syria, the IDF pounded targets in Syria.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News and AP

The heavy fighting in Syria spilled over into Israel again Sunday evening when a rocket landed in the northern Golan Heights. The rocket exploded in an open area, causing no injuries or damage.

That was the second time in two days that errant fire from the Syrian civil war hit Israel.

In response to the rocket fire, IDF artillery guns shelled two Syrian army posts in the central Syrian Golan Heights.

IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner stated that Israel would not tolerate the violation of its sovereignty. “The Syrian military is responsible and accountable for any aggression emanating from Syria. The IDF remains committed in defending the civilians and safeguarding the borders of Israel from all threats,” he said in a statement.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said a Syrian army position in the Quneitra region of the Golan Heights near the border with Israel was hit at least four times by the Israeli military.

Reports of intense fighting between Syrian troops and various rebel factions in the Quneitra area have repeatedly emerged in recent days, and Israeli residents said they could hear the gun fire from their homes.

Israel has mostly stayed on the sidelines throughout the Syrian war. The IDF returned fire, however, when rockets or mortar shells strayed into Israeli territory.

Israel has also reportedly carried out a number of airstrikes against terror organizations and suspected weapons shipments destined for those groups.