Syria has broken a ceasefire truce lasting more than 40 years by driving three tanks into the demilitarized zone of the Golan Heights — part of what many considered the "Occupied Territories" under the control of Israel since the "Six Day War." Israel, constantly under threat by many Arab countries, has already filed a complaint to United Nation peacekeepers in the area and plans to make an appeal to the United Nations headquarters in New York City. According to the Jerusalem Post, it seems the tanks were heading towards a Syrian settlement. Many bystanders reportedly overheard heavy exchanges of fire between the tanks and what appeared to be opposition forces.
Although Israel does not feel the violation is a direct attack against itself, it does draw up concerns about peace in an area embroiled with conflict. Many are fearful that Syria's civl war is boiling over to a regional conflict, and for a good reason. Just last month, exchanges of mortar fire occurred between Turkey and Syria after a stray shell hit a village in Turkey — killing five women and children. Turkey has since come out and reinforced a point that they are prepared to go at war with Syria if necessary. But that isn't the only incident in the area. Also just a few weeks ago, a car bombing occurred in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. The bombing killed a prominent Lebanese official who was outspokenly against the regime of Bashar Al-Assad, drawing conclusions that the attack was somehow connected. The Syrian conflict has split the population of Lebanon into those who support Assad and those in opposition of him — inducing random firefights on the Syrian-Lebanese border. It is becoming more and more clear that if the international community does not do anything to find a peaceful solution that the Middle East will once again become engulfed in the flames of war.
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