The civil war in Syria continued to encroach on Israel’s northern border Monday, as heavy fighting between rebel factions and forces loyal to the Assad regime spread to areas of the Golan Heights a day after Israeli air defense units shot down a drone which strayed into Israeli airspace, although it was unclear to which side in Syria’s multi-dimensional conflict the drone belonged. Al-Qaida linked Al Nusra Front fighters were among elements fighting the regime near the Israeli border, and are believed to be holding 44 UN Peacekeepers from Fiji, even as reports surfaced that as many as 70 UN peacekeepers from the Philippines were brought to safety in a secure area over the weekend following a fierce battle with Islamist fighters.Read More
