Israeli army pledges help to embattled Syrian Golan village

The Israeli army on Friday issued a rare statement in support of a government-held village in Syria's Golan Heights, pledging not to allow it to be taken by attacking rebel forces.The army was ready to "prevent Hader from being harmed or occupied, as part of our commitment to the Druze population," a statement from chief military spokesman Brigadier General Ronen Manelis said.Manelis did not specify how Israel would act, but firmly denied "claims of Israeli involvement or help to global jihad el