Golan Heights – An Israeli army officer stationed in the Golan Heights was moderately wounded Wednesday by errant fire from neighboring Syria’s civil war, the military said, adding that it fired back at Syrian army positions in response.
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The army said the fire appeared to be spillover from heavy fighting between government and rebel forces inside Syria. From the Israeli side of the de facto border, large clouds of smoke could be seen, as gunfire and explosions sounded in the distance. Israeli soldiers observed the fighting.
More than 190,000 people have been killed in Syria’s three-year civil war, according to the United Nations.
Israel has avoided taking sides in the war, but has responded when the violence has spilled across the border. In its response, the military said it targeted two Syrian army positions and “hits were confirmed.” It gave no further details.
Israel says it holds the Syrian government responsible for any violence that emanates from its territory.