Lebanon’s President Aoun has ordered military retaliation after gunfire from Syria, following accusations against Hezbollah for kidnapping and killing Syrian soldiers. The violence marks the most serious conflict since December, prompting calls for resolution and increased military presence along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
On Monday, the President of Lebanon ordered a military retaliation following gunfire from the Syrian border, amid escalating tensions. This surge in violence began after Syria’s interim government accused Hezbollah militants of crossing into Syria to kidnap and murder three soldiers on Lebanese territory. Such confrontations mark the most serious fighting along this border since the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in December.
The Syrian News Channel reported that the Syrian army responded by shelling Hezbollah positions, claiming that these actions resulted in the deaths of Syrian soldiers. However, Hezbollah denied any allegations of involvement. Information Minister Paul Morkos clarified during a Cabinet meeting that the deceased individuals were identified as smugglers, with reports of casualties including a child and six injuries on the Lebanese side.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that five Syrian soldiers were killed during recent hostilities. Footage from local media showed families evacuating from the region near the town of Hermel, where fighting intensified on Monday evening. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun stated, “What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue and we will not accept that it continues,” asserting orders for retaliation against the source of fire.
Additionally, President Aoun requested Lebanon’s foreign minister, attending a donors conference in Brussels, to engage with Syrian authorities in hopes of resolving the situation and preventing further escalation. Recent violence has also seen armed clans in Lebanon’s Al-Qasr border village taking part in the aforementioned abductions that provoked the clashes.
In a bid to mitigate tensions, both Lebanese and Syrian armies established communication channels. Reports confirm the Lebanese military returned the bodies of the three slain Syrians, while a significant deployment of Lebanese troops was arranged in the vicinity. Reports of low-level skirmishes persisted, further complicating the situation, along with claims of an artillery attack by Hezbollah that resulted in injuries among Syrian journalists.
The current situation along the Lebanon-Syria border exhibits heightened tensions following serious cross-border violence, prompting Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun to initiate military retaliation. As both governments strive to communicate and ease escalating hostilities, the complexities surrounding the involvement of Hezbollah and local clans complicate potential resolutions. The international community’s support for Lebanon’s military bolsters its efforts to manage security along an adversarial border.
Original Source: www.stltoday.com
