Clashes between Syrian troops and Lebanese soldiers in northeast Lebanon have intensified, following accusations of incursions and executions by Hezbollah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has ordered a response to cross-border fire, while Syria increases military reinforcements at the border. The situation remains tense and could escalate further.
Syrian troops have engaged in exchanges of fire with Lebanese soldiers and armed groups in northeastern Lebanon, marking a new escalation along the border. This clash follows ongoing tensions since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebels, resulting in the establishment of new local governance and army structures.
On Sunday night, Syria’s defense ministry accused Hezbollah of infiltrating Syrian territory and executing three members of Syria’s new military forces. However, Hezbollah refuted these claims, while a Lebanese security source indicated that the soldiers had crossed into Lebanon and were reportedly killed by local armed groups fearing an attack on their town.
As retaliation for the soldiers’ deaths, Syrian artillery targeted Lebanese border towns overnight, as confirmed by both the Syrian defense ministry and the Lebanese army. Residents in the town of Al-Qasr, located less than a kilometer from the border, reported evacuating to escape the shelling.
In response, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ordered the army to return fire against sources of shooting from the Syrian side and emphasized the state’s commitment to halting the border clashes. The Lebanese army acknowledged the handover of the slain Syrian soldiers’ bodies to Syria and noted that they returned fire while dispatching reinforcements to the border region.
The Syrian army has mobilized additional troops and tanks towards the border region, signaling an immediate military buildup. Maher Ziwani, a commander in the Syrian army, stated that significant reinforcements were deployed to secure the Syrian-Lebanese border and prevent further incursions in the coming days.
The recent clashes between Syrian troops and Lebanese forces have exacerbated border tensions, with accusations exchanged between Hezbollah and Syrian authorities. The situation remains volatile as Lebanon’s army prepares for further incidents, while Syria reinforces its military presence along the border. Continued escalation could threaten regional stability amid an already complex geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
