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Syria Halts Work on Diversion of Jordan Waters After Clash

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Preliminary work begun by the Syrians toward diversion of the Jordan River headwaters, on the Syrian side of Israel’s northern frontier, was discontinued today, following an exchange of artillery fire between both sides yesterday, it was announced here today.

Syria’s latest anti-Israeli attack, yesterday, in the Dan area, had forced Israel to unlimber tank guns in an effort to silence Syria’s recoilless guns. The latter aim was accomplished but, caught in the crossfire, were some tractors and other heavy equipment, including bulldozers, prepared by Syria for the water diversion work they had begun earlier near the Dan River, a tributary feeding the Jordan River.

A Syrian announcement today conceded that several of the bulldozers were damaged, and claimed that one Syrian tractor driver was killed while others were injured.

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