Middle East 691
into Lebanon on behalf of the Christians. On July 6, Israeli jets buzz Damascus but
did not provoke a Syrian response. However, Israeli moves to reinforce its border
in the Golan Heights did, and Syria responded with a full alert of all forces. Egypt,
the United States, and Israel then moved for talks to be renewed on July 11, with the
United States privately warning Israel against unilateral intervention into Lebanon.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from July 1, 1978. End Date changed from July
11, 1978.
MID#3441
Dispute Number: 3441
Date(s): June 27, 1979 to February 19, 1980
Participants: 652 Syria/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: This dispute occurs in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. On
June 27, 1979, Israel shot down Syrian MiG jet fighters over southern Lebanon. Then,
on October 7, an Israeli reconnaissance plane was shot down over Syria, purportedly
north of Damascus. In February 1980, Israel claimed that Syria was mobilizing thou-
sands of tanks along the northern Israeli border. Syria responded that the charge was
an attempt to set the stage for Israeli aggression against Syria. Syria committed to
withdrawal from Lebanon but also stated they would wait until violence quelled. Syria
then withdrew their offer fearing an Israeli sweep into southern Lebanon and Syria.
Coding changes: End day changed from Missing.
MID#3448
Started in August 1980. See the narrative in the 660 Lebanon/666 Israel dyad dispute
list.
MID#3444
Started in April 1982. See the narrative in the 660 Lebanon/666 Israel dyad dispute list.
MID#3443
Dispute Number: 3443
Date(s): June 13, 1985 to September 1985
Participants: 652 Syria/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: This dispute describes several cross-border actions between Syria and
Israel and began when Israel downed a pilotless reconnaissance craft from Syria on
June 13, 1985. On August 10 and 11, 1986, Israeli jets attacked Palestinian guerrilla
targets in Lebanon. Syrian ground defense forces pushed the Israeli aircraft back
toward the sea with return fire. In October 1985, Syrian soldiers fired a missile at an