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Thrust into Syria widens over 21-kilometer front Iraqis routed tank toll: 130 TEL AVIV — The Israeli thrust into Syria, which broadened into a 21-kilomter front on Friday, remained static yesterday. A total of about 130 Syrian and Iraqi tanks were destroyed during the day. Israeli losses were "minimal," an Army spokesman reported. The Israeli spearhead which burst through the first Syrian defense line north-east of Kuneitra on Thursday spread out on Friday over a wide sector north and south of the Kuneitra-Damascus road. The bulk of the Israeli force was some 10-11 kilometers Deep into Syrian territory, east of the old cease-fire line, yesterday, but some units were already about 40 kms from Damascus, putting the outskirts of the Syrian capital including the city’s international airport within the range of Israel’s 203mm field guns. The momentum of the breakthrough was slowed down to enable the advancing troops to deal thoroughly with the thick lines of fortifications prepared by the Syrians over the last six years to protect the approaches to Damascus. The Syrians are reported to be fighting tenaciously for every position. The hilly, rocky terrain also impedes the rapid advance of armor. Israel’s tactics appeared to be aimed at the establishment of a firm base to serve as jumping off platform for the continuation of the offensive. This will strengthen the two flanks of the deployment and force the enemy to thin out his defenses. The threat to Damascus has forced Syria to withdraw much of its armor and infantry from the front line to defend the capital. They were reported last night to be digging 15 kms from the city. Their place is being taken by what an IDF commentator yesterday called the Arab "foreign legion." He was referring to the Iraqi, Moroccan and possibly Algerian troops stationed in Syria and being used as "cannon fodder" in an attempt to stem the Israeli advance. The Syrian retreat had been orderly and is not a rout. Villages taken by the advancing Israelis were all evacuated in advance. Contact with the Iraqi force was first established on Friday afternoon, when they attacked the southern flank of the Israeli columns. The attack was driven back, and yesterday morning when fighting was renewed, some 80 Iraqi tanks — or almost an entire armored brigade — were put out of action in about 90 minutes. The Iraqis are believed to have moved a division into Syria. They comprise three armored brigades plus infantry, a total of about 12,000-13.000 men and 250 tanks. One Israel Radio report said Israel suffered no casualties during the engagement with the Iraqis. A number of Iraqi prisoners were taken. The IAF attacked the enemy forces throughout the day, giving close support to our troops. By last yesterday evening Israeli forces had not encountered any Jordanian troops. Reports that Jordanian troops had moved into Syria could not be confirmed.
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