Israel destroys Syrian cannon in response to mortar fire

The Israeli military confirmed that its forces destroyed a Syrian cannon post in the northern Golan Heights on Wednesday in response to mortar fire that earlier wounded two Israeli soldiers.

The instruction to return fire was issued after mortars fired from across the northern border landed on an Israeli army post in the vicinity, lightly injuring two soldiers, the military said.

Initial reports suggested the shells that struck the Israeli post were errantly fired during intense battles between Syrian government forces and insurgents in areas adjacent to the border, an army spokeswoman told Xinhua.

She said the army lodged a complaint with the United Nations in the wake of the incident.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has repeatedly declared that fire targeting Israeli military personnel, whether intentional or stray, would be met with fire.

Return fire towards targets in Syria requires the approval of the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv due to the potential consequences of such action.