Rebel factions in Syria, including Islamist and al Qaeda affiliates, seized the only border crossing between Israel and Syria in Golan Heights in a development that experts believe signifies a new dynamic in the regional conflict.

According to Syrian opposition activists, at least eight factions were involved: Islamist groups, Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, Free Syrian Army, and some Jordanian fighters and Syrian-resident Palestinians. Not all of them were Islamists, the activists said.

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The conflict took place around Quneitra in the disputed Golan Heights, 45 miles southwest of Damascus. Syrian forces were still engaged in the recapture of the border crossing by Wednesday, reports said.

While there was no evidence that the rebels planned to infiltrate Israel, three errant mortars landed on the Israeli side of the border, injuring one soldier.

Israel responded with two strikes but there was no news of further engagement from the Israeli military. They closed the area around the border crossing.

This is the second major loss of strategic Syrian site to militants. The first was the seizing of an air base in northern Syria last Sunday.

Military experts believe that these events could be a new dynamic that threatens to destabilize conflict in the region.

The Israelis, on the other hand, have long been preparing for the destabilization of the frontier. They had strengthened barriers, deployed forces to the area, and added surveillance equipment.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said Islamists such as the Nusra Front already control parts of the disputed territory. Thus, they will continue security operations there.

The Golan Heights had been controlled by Israel since the 1967 war.  Syria attempted to recapture the area in 1973 but failed.

Since then, the plateau, monitored by United Nations peacekeepers, has been one of the most peaceful Arab-Israeli borders in the region. In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan Heights. 

TagsIsrael, Golan Heights, Syrian rebels, rebel factions, Al-qaeda, Nusra Front, Free Syrian Army