Iraqi proxy firepower and Syrian jihadists along Israel’s eastern border

For Israel, the strategic nightmare extends far beyond Iraq; a war with Iran would almost certainly activate a second front along its northern border with Syria, where another set of dangerous actors stands ready. While the world giving little attention to Shiite militias in Iraqi uniforms, a parallel network of Sunni jihadist fighters already operates inside the Syrian army. These forces, many of them former rebels now wearing regime insignia, are trained, armed and quietly supported by Turkey. They control significant territory in northern and eastern Syria and maintain a direct line to Israel’s Golan Heights.

During the war with Iran, the proxies from Iraq would pour fighters and advanced weaponry into western Syria, creating a continuous supply line of rockets, drones and special forces aimed at the Golan. At the same time, Turkish-backed Sunni factions inside the Syrian army would open fire on Israeli positions. For Israel, this would mean fighting on two fronts........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)