Syrian government forces are closing in on rebels occupying a village close to the Israeli-held Golan Heights.
The village, Beit Jinn, has been held by Syrian rebels for the last several years, and is surrounded on three sides by the Syrian regime and its allies.
Israeli forces have had an amicable relationship with Syrian rebels on the Golan. However, Jerusalem has said it would not allow them to conquer the Druse village of Khadr in their bid to link up with Biet Jinn because Golan Druze are sympathizers with other Druse members in Syria proper.
In November residents of Beit Jinn reported that the Syrian regime had dropped chlorine barrel bombs on their positions injuring people.
The Syrian regime has been slowly retaking rebel strongholds in a bid to reunite the country, but has been doing so with Iranian help.
Israel has made it clear it would not allow Iran to gain a military foothold within Syria Tehran could then use to threaten the Jewish state. [source]
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