Lebanon’s President ordered military retaliation against Syria due to gunfire and deadly clashes along the border. This incident resulted from accusations against Hezbollah involving the abduction and murder of Syrian soldiers. As violence escalated, Lebanon seeks to strengthen its military presence and address the tensions through communication with Syrian officials.
On Monday, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun ordered military retaliation in response to gunfire from Syria, amid rising border tensions. Recent violence has involved clashes between the Syrian military and armed Shiite clans in Lebanon that are allied with ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. This escalation follows accusations from Syria’s interim government that Lebanese Hezbollah militants kidnapped and killed three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese territory.
In the wake of these events, it was reported that the Syrian army targeted what they referred to as “Hezbollah gatherings” that had resulted in Syrian fatalities. Hezbollah has denied any involvement and Lebanon’s Information Minister clarified at a Cabinet meeting that the deceased were identified as smugglers. A tragic consequence of the fighting has also been reported, with one child killed and multiple injuries on the Lebanese side of the border.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that five Syrian soldiers were killed during the confrontations on Monday, and footage showed families fleeing from the Lebanese town of Hermel. Lebanon’s state media indicated that fighting intensified in the region, prompting President Aoun to express that the ongoing situation cannot persist. He instructed the Lebanese army to return fire and engage with Syrian officials to de-escalate the conflict.
Recent tensions have seen a rise in conflict between the Syrian military and Lebanese clans loyal to Assad, particularly in Al-Qasr village. Reports suggest that these clans were involved in the initial attacks that triggered the clashes. Despite the escalation, both armies claimed to have initiated communication channels in an attempt to mitigate tensions, while large Lebanese military deployments have been observed in the area.
Further incidents included an attack on a Syrian military vehicle, leading to additional low-level fighting, though casualty reports remain unclear. Additionally, four Syrian journalists, working with the army, sustained injuries from cross-border artillery fire, which they attributed to Hezbollah militants. Senior Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan has also alleged that Syrian combatants have infiltrated into Lebanese territories, exacerbating tensions in border provinces such as Baalbek-Hermel. Lebanon is actively seeking international assistance to fortify its military presence along its borders with Syria and Israel.
In summary, escalating tensions between Lebanon and Syria have resulted in military retaliation following cross-border gunfire. The conflict is complicated by accusations against Hezbollah and the involvement of armed Lebanese Shiite clans. Both nations are actively pursuing de-escalation through military channels and are facing domestic and international pressures to stabilize the region. The situation remains fluid with significant implications for border security and regional relations.
Original Source: www.france24.com
