Israel pounds Syrian army bases, denies advancing past buffer zone

It calls move into demilitarised zone a temporary step to ensure border security

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DAMASCUS - Israel pounded Syrian army bases on Dec 10 in strikes that it says are aimed at keeping weapons from falling into hostile hands, but denied its forces had advanced into Syria beyond a buffer zone at the border.

In the Syrian capital, banks reopened for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, in a major step towards restoring normal life. Shops were reopening, traffic returned to the roads, construction workers were back fixing a roundabout in the city centre and street cleaners were out sweeping the streets.

Since Mr Assad's flight on Dec 8 ended more than five decades of his family's rule, Israeli troops have moved into a demilitarised zone inside Syria which was established following a 1973 war. Israel calls the incursion a temporary measure to ensure border security.

Three security sources said on Dec 10 the Israelis had advanced beyond the demilitarised zone. One Syrian source said they had reached the town of Qatana, several kilometres to the east of the buffer zone and just a short drive from Damascus airport.

But an Israeli military spokesperson said troops had not left the demilitarised zone.