Israel’s military says soldiers shot at Syrian fighters after gunfire from the Syrian civil war spilled over to the Israel-controlled Golan Heights.

A military spokesman said soldiers deployed artillery toward the source of fire late Saturday night.

Speaking on condition of anonymity according to protocol, the spokesman said it identified a hit. He did not know if they were Syrian rebels or forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.

Syrian shells have exploded inside the Golan Heights several times in recent weeks damaging apple orchards, sparking fires and spreading panic but causing no injuries. Israel is worried that if Assad is toppled, Syria could fall into the hands of Islamic extremists or descend into sectarian warfare.

(AP)