Syria prepares for war against Israel - plans human shields for Golan
assault

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Syria, buoyed by Hizbullah's success against Israel, has
ordered his military to prepare for a regional war with the Jewish state.

Israeli intelligence sources said Syrian President Bashar Assad has ordered
a series of measures meant to bolster the preparedness of his military. The
sources cited increased training, exercises, procurement as well as an
examination of Israeli ground and air battles in Lebanon in July and August.

"We see signs of a new strategy in the Syrian military based on the lessons
from the Hizbullah war," an intelligence source said. "It could take months
until the picture becomes clearer."

The sources said the Intelligence Corps has detected Syrian activities in
the Golan Heights that could mark preparations for another war. They said
Syria appeared to be planning to bring people to the Golan to serve as a
human shield during any conflict with Israel.
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