Yarda – 22nd day of war

Hi,
I was sent out for a longer vacation than my short After and decided to stop on Yarda. I have seen the sign to the place almost every time I have been driving north to Golan Heights. The place is now a memorial for 103 soldiers who died defending the place on the Independence War and preventing the Syrian army from progressing to northern Israel.

What you can see when getting to Yarda nowadays is the ruins of a hamlet (mainly the outer walls are left) and a graveyard for its defenders. The place held against the attacks of the Arab Liberation Army and the Syrian army. The latter had conquered Mishmar HaYarden (where it used to be, not the settlement on the new location) during june 1948 and attacked Yarda, getting control on July 16th.

On the same night (16th – 17th of July), forces of Carmeli Brigade and Golani brigade managed to conquer the place again. 1949 Armistice Agreements between Syria and Israel took place on the road just where the road sign to Yarda is located.

The hamlet is about a square in shape. There are about 3 to 4 rooms on each face. A door is located in the east face and on the west. A well is located in the hamlet yard, and it is now covered for safety reasons. Looking east, you can see the raging Jordan creek and Golan Heights. To the north Hula valley and Ramim ridge. To west – Sfaed mountains. Take Care Gad

East and south facades of the ruin walls

The graveyard - YardaThe graveyard

The gate at west facade - YardaThe gate at west facade

Inner south - west corner wall with the location for the roof beamsInner south – west corner wall with the location for the roof beams

The rooms along the south wall (east to west)

Rooms along the east wall (south to north) and the gate to east

Hardon (Laudakia stellio) on YardaHardon (Laudakia stellio) on Yarda

North wall rooms and the door to the eastren one (notice the Basalt beam above the door)

In the north - west corner: a cornerstone for a memorial site for Carmeli Brigade in Yarda ruinIn the north – west corner: a cornerstone for a memorial site for Carmeli Brigade in Yarda ruin

The well in the middle of the Yarda ruinsThe well in the middle of the Yarda ruins

Inside the wellInside the well

East gate looking out on Safed mountains East gate looking out on Safed mountains

Looking east from the gate outside on the memorial Looking east from the gate outside on the memorial

The memorial for 103 soldiers died in the place in the Indenpendence warThe memorial for 103 soldiers died in the place in the Independence war

The names of all the 103 soldiers

The view looking east on Golan HeightsThe view looking east on Golan Heights

East Facade of the hamlet, where bullets from the war of Independence can be seen