Syria – Rebels Seize Border Crossing With Israel

Syria – Activists say Syrian rebels have captured a border crossing with Israel in the Golan Heights after deadly clashes with President Bashar Assad’s forces.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees say the rebels seized the crossing Wednesday.

The Observatory says the rebels come from the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front and other Islamic factions. It says they were fighting Assad’s forces in the towns of Jaba, Tal Kroum and Rawadi in Quneitra province.

It says at least 20 Syrian soldiers and an unknown number of rebels were killed.

Israel said earlier that an officer stationed in the Golan Heights was wounded Wednesday by errant fire from the Syrian side of the frontier.

It didn’t comment on the crossing takeover.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

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.

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.