The Lebanese army clashed with Syrian forces on the eastern border, initiated by accusations from Syria against Hezbollah. Conflicting narratives have emerged, with assertions of an incursion and subsequent retaliatory actions. Lebanese President Aoun called for the Lebanese army to respond to hostility, amid calls for improved bilateral relations and significant military deployments along the border.
The Lebanese army has been involved in confrontations with Syrian forces along Lebanon’s eastern border, commencing on Sunday night. This flare-up of hostilities follows accusations from the Syrian government, under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, claiming that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was responsible for the abduction and death of three members of Syria’s security detail. Both sides have presented conflicting narratives regarding the incident.
Hezbollah has denied any wrongdoing, while a Lebanese security source indicated to Reuters that three Syrian soldiers had ventured into Lebanese territory and were subsequently killed by local armed tribesmen due to fears of an impending attack. In response to these fatalities, Syrian forces retaliated by shelling Lebanese towns, prompting some residents to evacuate the area.
In a statement, the Lebanese military reported that it had repatriated the bodies of the slain Syrians and had exchanged gunfire with forces situated on the Syrian side of the border. The Lebanese army has significantly bolstered its presence in the border region as tensions escalate. “What is happening on the eastern and northeastern borders cannot continue, and we will not accept its continuation,” stated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
The ongoing confrontations have intensified around the northeastern Lebanese town of Hosh al-Sayyed Ali. Lebanese President Aoun and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara have both expressed a desire to improve bilateral relations; however, the recent hostilities, exacerbated by the Syrian government’s antagonism toward Hezbollah, continue to complicate this objective.
This incident highlights the longstanding volatility of Lebanon’s border with Syria, which has witnessed sporadic clashes since the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a staunch ally of Hezbollah.
In summary, the recent clashes along the Lebanese-Syrian border underscore the fragility of the situation in the region. The accusations of abduction and hostility between Hezbollah and Syrian forces further complicate the potential for improved bilateral relations. As both Lebanese and Syrian leaders express intentions to strengthen diplomatic ties, ongoing confrontations pose significant obstacles to peace and stability.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
