On the Syrian Front
Our forces engaged on the Syrian front against the army of Vichy France are meeting with stiff resistance—stiffer indeed than had been expected. On the west Sidon has been taken and an advance made beyond it in the direction of Beirut, and on the right Allied troops are closing in on Damascus. In the centre, and in a weaker effort on the right, the enemy have counter-attacked, and tanks seem to have pushed through our positions in the neighbourhood of Merj Ayoum. Reinforce- ments appear to have arrived in time to check these move- ments. But it is clear that the strength of the opposing forces must not be under-estimated, and that the declared plan of avoiding bloodshed as far as possible in our advance ought not to be pushed to the point of endangering the operations. There would be nothing merciful—either to the French or the Syrians—in engagements protracted by humanitarian con- siderations. On the other hand it is reported that a favour- able impression has been created by our refusal to bomb villages and our consideration for property.
