Editorial Note
On May 2 fighting broke out in the area of Shamalneh village, in the Syro-Israeli Demilitarized Zone, and the Tel al Mutillah, in Israeli territory to the west of the Zone. Files 683.84A and 330 for May 1951 indicate that the Legation in Damascus initially understood the fighting to involve Israeli police (or soldiers) and Arab civilians resident in the Zone, while the Embassy in Tel Aviv supported the Israeli contention that the combatants included from the beginning regular Syrian troops. As of May 6 the Department accepted the contention that the Arab combatants were civilian. However, by May 9 it was taking note of “…mounting evidence some degree Syrian Army participation in incidents near Tell al Mutilla as reported by Emb Tel Aviv …”. (Telegram 429 to Damascus, May 9, 683.84A/5–351)
[Page 655]Additional pertinent information regarding the origin of this incident is in file 683.84A for August 1951, especially in telegram 183 from Tel Aviv, August 27; airgram 33 to Damascus, August 30; and telegram 115 from Damascus, August 31.
In a resolution of May 8 (U.N. Doc. S/2130), the Security Council called upon the parties to cease fighting. The fighting ended by May 10.