Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has ordered a military retaliation against Syria following an escalation of cross-border violence, including the abduction and killing of Syrian soldiers by Hezbollah. Syria responded with artillery fire, and both sides are engaging in dialogue to ease tensions. The ongoing violence highlights Lebanon’s security challenges as it seeks international support to strengthen its military.
Lebanon’s president has issued an order for retaliation following gunfire from Syria, amid escalating tensions along the border. The recent clashes were triggered when Syria’s interim government accused Hezbollah fighters of crossing into Syria, abducting and killing three soldiers on Lebanese soil. This incident marks the most serious outbreak of violence since the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December.
Syrian state media reported that the Syrian army responded by shelling locations associated with Hezbollah, claiming that the attacks resulted in fatalities among Syrian soldiers. However, Hezbollah denied its involvement in these incidents. Information Minister Paul Morkos characterized the deceased individuals as smugglers, noting additional casualties, including one child on the Lebanese side.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported five Syrian soldiers lost their lives during the latest confrontations. Footage emerged illustrating families fleeing towards the Lebanese town of Hermel, as fighting intensified in the area. President Joseph Aoun emphasized that Lebanon could not accept ongoing violence along its borders and instructed the army to retaliate firmly against aggressions from Syrian territory.
To mitigate tensions, President Aoun directed Lebanon’s foreign minister, currently attending an international conference, to engage with Syrian officials. Reports indicate that violence has surged recently between the Syrian army and Lebanese Shiite clans allied with Assad’s former regime. Furthermore, clashes are believed to have been instigated by these clans’ involvement in the abduction of soldiers.
Reports have surfaced of low-level skirmishes following an assault on a Syrian military vehicle, though the exact count of casualties remains unclear. Additionally, four Syrian journalists embedded with the army sustained minor injuries from an artillery shell that struck their position from the Lebanese side, with allegations directed towards Hezbollah.
Amid this chaos, Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan accused Syrian fighters of encroaching into Lebanese villages and attacking them. Lebanon’s military efforts are currently aimed at enhancing its forces along vulnerable borders with Syria and Israel, seeking international assistance for military funding. United Nations envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has cautioned of potential repercussions stemming from the persistent Israeli military presence in Lebanese territory, highlighting the fragility of the region’s stability.
In summary, Lebanon is taking decisive action in response to armed confrontations with Syria, emphasizing the need for retaliation against cross-border aggression. High-level discussions between Lebanese and Syrian officials are ongoing, with efforts to de-escalate tensions. Regional violence has surged recently involving armed Lebanese clans, reinforcing the precarious nature of Lebanon’s security situation as it seeks international support for military enhancements.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
