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| Syrian conflict grows with unsettling consequences for more than Lebanon | Syrian conflict grows with unsettling consequences for more than Lebanon |
| (2 days later) | |
| Israel | Israel |
| Israeli warplanes have repeatedly struck weapons sites this year, amid concerns that advanced weaponry could be transferred to Hezbollah, or fall into the hands of jihadist groups. | Israeli warplanes have repeatedly struck weapons sites this year, amid concerns that advanced weaponry could be transferred to Hezbollah, or fall into the hands of jihadist groups. |
| Earlier this month, the Syrian army claimed for the first time that its forces had fired at and destroyed an Israeli military vehicle that had entered Syria from the Golan Heights. Israel denied crossing the border, and fired back following the incident. | Earlier this month, the Syrian army claimed for the first time that its forces had fired at and destroyed an Israeli military vehicle that had entered Syria from the Golan Heights. Israel denied crossing the border, and fired back following the incident. |
| It was the latest in an accelerating number of cross-border skirmishes, which indicate that the demarcation line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is becoming a "hot border". The rhetoric has also become more heated, with Israel's military chief of staff, Benny Gantz, warning last week that his country risked being drawn into a "security deterioration in our region at any moment … Not a day goes by when we are not faced with decisions which could lead us to a sudden and out-of-control deterioration." | It was the latest in an accelerating number of cross-border skirmishes, which indicate that the demarcation line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is becoming a "hot border". The rhetoric has also become more heated, with Israel's military chief of staff, Benny Gantz, warning last week that his country risked being drawn into a "security deterioration in our region at any moment … Not a day goes by when we are not faced with decisions which could lead us to a sudden and out-of-control deterioration." |
| Turkey | Turkey |
| Twin car bombs in the border town of Reyhanli this month that killed 53 served as an unambiguous sign that Turkey is at risk of spillover from the Syrian war. | Twin car bombs in the border town of Reyhanli this month that killed 53 served as an unambiguous sign that Turkey is at risk of spillover from the Syrian war. |
| Turkey has hosted armed and unarmed Syrian opposition groups, and openly called for the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. But its belligerent stance appeared based on the misconception that the Assad regime would fall quickly after Turkey decided to side with the fractured Syrian opposition. Since then sectarian tension in Hatay, bordering Syria, has soared. The province is home to the majority of Turkey's 500,000-strong Alawite community who are wary of the Turkey-supported, largely Sunni-Arab rebels. | Turkey has hosted armed and unarmed Syrian opposition groups, and openly called for the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. But its belligerent stance appeared based on the misconception that the Assad regime would fall quickly after Turkey decided to side with the fractured Syrian opposition. Since then sectarian tension in Hatay, bordering Syria, has soared. The province is home to the majority of Turkey's 500,000-strong Alawite community who are wary of the Turkey-supported, largely Sunni-Arab rebels. |
| In addition to the political costs, Turkey has also housed more than 300,000 refugees in camps all along its 900km border with Syria, and thousands more are said to live in Turkish cities. So far, Turkey has footed the resulting bill of $750m (£500m), with only $100m coming from outside donors. | In addition to the political costs, Turkey has also housed more than 300,000 refugees in camps all along its 900km border with Syria, and thousands more are said to live in Turkish cities. So far, Turkey has footed the resulting bill of $750m (£500m), with only $100m coming from outside donors. |
| The ruling AK party's popularity at home has suffered because of what is seen as its failed Syria policy: According to a Metropoll survey, only 28% of the Turkish public believe that the government is handling the Syrian crisis effectively. | The ruling AK party's popularity at home has suffered because of what is seen as its failed Syria policy: According to a Metropoll survey, only 28% of the Turkish public believe that the government is handling the Syrian crisis effectively. |
| Jordan | Jordan |
| Almost half a million refugees have already crossed from Syria into Jordan – and the number could double by the end of the year according to the UN, which would mean that every sixth person in the country is a refugee. Jordan has complained about the cost of maintaining the refugees and the vast Zaatari camp in which tens of thousands are sheltered. | Almost half a million refugees have already crossed from Syria into Jordan – and the number could double by the end of the year according to the UN, which would mean that every sixth person in the country is a refugee. Jordan has complained about the cost of maintaining the refugees and the vast Zaatari camp in which tens of thousands are sheltered. |
| Iraq | Iraq |
| Iraq's foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari warned recently that the country was being affected by conflict spillover, as its own sectarian violence has worsened in recent months. Around 300 people have been killed in attacks over the past two weeks. Iraqi Sunni fighters have told the Guardian of a procession of Sunni radicals who once sought refuge in Syria, but who are now returning home to take on the Shia-dominated authorities. | Iraq's foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari warned recently that the country was being affected by conflict spillover, as its own sectarian violence has worsened in recent months. Around 300 people have been killed in attacks over the past two weeks. Iraqi Sunni fighters have told the Guardian of a procession of Sunni radicals who once sought refuge in Syria, but who are now returning home to take on the Shia-dominated authorities. |
| Violence continued yesterday with at least 11 killed in separate attacks. | Violence continued yesterday with at least 11 killed in separate attacks. |
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