Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has ordered military retaliation against Syrian gunfire after deadly cross-border fighting. The violence stems from Hezbollah’s alleged abduction of Syrian soldiers, prompting artillery exchanges. Casualties have been reported on both sides, with Lebanon seeking international military support and urging diplomatic resolutions.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has mandated military retaliation following deadly cross-border confrontations with Syria. This decision came after the Lebanese Hezbollah group was accused of infiltrating Syria, leading to the abduction and murder of three Syrian soldiers, marking the most severe violence since Bashar Assad’s removal in December. The Syrian army, in response, launched artillery attacks targeting Hezbollah positions, while Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the abduction.
Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morkos reported that the three deceased were smugglers, with a child and six others injured on the Lebanese side during the clashes. As tensions escalated, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented five Syrian soldiers killed amid the violence. Images circulating in media depicted families fleeing into the Lebanese town of Hermel as skirmishes were reported in this area.
In a statement via X, President Aoun expressed the need for action, stating, “What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue.” He instructed the Lebanese army to respond against the source of fire and requested that Lebanon’s foreign minister, currently in Brussels, engage Syrian officials to mitigate tensions and avert further conflict.
Violence has increased between the Syrian military and allied Lebanese Shiite clans, particularly around Al-Qasr. Reports indicate involvement from these clans in the initial abductions that ignited the latest hostilities. Both Lebanese and Syrian military officials have established communication channels to reduce tensions, while Lebanon’s military reportedly returned the bodies of the slain Syrian soldiers.
On the ground, reports of minor clashes persisted overnight following an attack on a Syrian military vehicle. Additionally, four Syrian journalists were injured by Lebanese artillery fire, which they attributed to Hezbollah. Senior Hezbollah member Hussein Haj Hassan accused Syrian forces of crossing into Lebanon to attack border communities, heightening regional instability.
Lebanon is actively pursuing international assistance to strengthen its military presence along its northern and eastern borders with Syria, as well as its southern border with Israel. United Nations envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert highlighted the danger posed by ongoing Israeli military actions in her address to the Security Council, warning that these could trigger serious ramifications within the region.
In summary, the escalation of hostilities between Lebanon and Syria has prompted President Joseph Aoun to order military retaliation against the source of gunfire from Syria. The situation has resulted in casualties on both sides, with significant involvement from the Lebanese Hezbollah and local clans. Seeking international support for its military, Lebanon aims to stabilize its borders amidst ongoing threats, while calls for diplomatic engagement with Syria continue to be paramount to preventing further escalation.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
