IDF turns attention to Lebanon as Syrian army falls apart
Haaretz Daily Newspaper
▻http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-turns-attention-to-lebanon-as-syrian-army-falls-apart.premium-1.511719
The Israel Defense Forces has responded to the changing reality in Syria by adjusting its focus and training of forces to deal with Lebanon, rather than with Syria.
While the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad have reportedly lost some 13,000 men during that country’s civil war and some 40,000 soldiers have deserted, Iran and Hezbollah are gaining access to the treasure trove of weapons in Syria. “They are trying and in some cases succeeding to obtain air defense capabilities, shore-to-sea missiles, surface-to-surface missiles and other capabilities,” Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi told the Herzliya Conference recently. “Hezbollah and Iran understand that Assad’s fate is sealed, and they’re preparing for the day after.”
So is the IDF, which is changing the assignments of some of its northern divisions to focus more on Lebanon. For example, last week two reserve brigades - one an armored brigade and the other an infantry brigade - practiced maneuvers for operating in Lebanon after years in which they had focused exclusively on the Syrian arena.