Golan Heights Quiet Following Attack on Syrian Army Base

The Golan Heights was quiet today following an Israeli air attack yesterday on a Syrian Army base 40 miles north of Damascus. The attack was in retaliation for the heavy shelling of Israeli positions and settlements on the Golan Heights by Syrian artillery Saturday night. All Israeli planes returned safely to their bases and no casualties were reported as a result of the shelling. An Israeli patrol discovered and dismantled two anti-vehicle mines found this morning on a dirt road near-Nahal Golan.

The air attack. Israel’s second in four days against Syrian targets, was launched at midnight, two hours after Syrian 122 mm. and 130 mm. guns opened fire on Bnei Yehuda and Afik in the central Golan Heights. Israeli pilots reported sighting huge fires at the Nabk Army camp, 120 miles inside Syria, apparently the results of hits on fuel supplies and ammunition dumps. The Israelis said they encountered no anti-aircraft fire. The Syrians sent up night interceptor planes, something they have rarely done in the past, but the Syrian pilots kept out of range and no aerial combat developed, and Israeli spokesman said.

Syrian MJGs were sighted over the cease-fire line this morning but kept to their side of the line. Golan Heights settlers remained in bomb shelters during the night and regular classes for children were conducted in the shelters today as a precautionary measure. Israeli circles said they did not expect the border, situation to deteriorate to all-out warfare. They said Israel will continue to maintain pressure on Syria to end terrorist incursions across the cease fire line.