IDF holds multi-front war games on northern border

The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday announced the conclusion of a major two-week drill on the northern border, which for the first time simulated concurrent wars on the Lebanese and Syrian fronts.

The drill was designed to prepare troops for a long-term conflict, the IDF said, and came amid heightened tensions with Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, following the alleged Israeli assassination of notorious terrorist Samir Kuntar, a major figure in the organization.

GOC Northern Command Aviv Kochavi said in a statement that the exercise was designed to simulate a fight against Hezbollah and the Islamic Jihad terror group on the two fronts.

“We simulated vast maneuvers, substantial fire power, and the attack of thousands of targets in all combat areas, with high efficiency, including residential areas exploited by the enemy,” he said.

Head of the Northern Command Gen. Aviv Kochavi, right, speaks with IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, center, alongside head of the Operations Directorate Gen. Nitsan Alon, during a military exercise on January 20, 2016. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

The exercise was planned ahead of time and was not related to the current situation, the army said.

In 2015, the army and air force held two separate drills simulating massive coordinated rocket attacks on population centers across Israel.

The five-day “Turning Point 15” drill also tested the country’s preparedness to attacks on essential infrastructure, as well as a cyber attack that brings down the electrical and telephone grids.