Housh Al-Sayyid Ali, a Lebanese border town, was attacked with gunfire and shelling from Syria amidst a recent ceasefire. Tensions arose following the alleged execution of three Syrian smugglers by Hezbollah, a claim denied by the group. The Lebanese army has increased its presence in the area, while Hezbollah admonished external influences contributing to instability.
On Thursday, the Lebanese border town of Housh Al-Sayyid Ali experienced gunfire and shelling from Syria’s Al-Qusayr countryside, coinciding with a local funeral, according to Lebanese media. Details regarding damage or casualties remain undisclosed.
The recent clashes in the region were reportedly triggered by the killing of three individuals identified by Syria’s Ministry of Defense as Syrian soldiers. They accused Hezbollah of executing these individuals; however, Hezbollah has denied such allegations. Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa clarified that these were “three Syrian smugglers whose bodies had been handed over to Syrian authorities,” and he urges enhanced cooperation between Lebanon and Syria to mitigate security incidents.
In the wake of a ceasefire agreement between Beirut and Damascus, initiated through discussions between Menassa and Syrian Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, the Lebanese army entered Housh Al-Sayyid Ali on Wednesday. They cleared remnants of previous clashes and strengthened military positions in the region.
Hezbollah MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan commended the Lebanese army’s deployment and encouraged the support of border communities for military efforts. He emphasized Hezbollah’s commitment to the “Army, People, Resistance” doctrine while cautioning against external forces attempting to destabilize the area, citing “foreign intelligence activities and American influence” as contributing factors to the ongoing tensions.
In summary, the situation in Housh Al-Sayyid Ali reflects ongoing tensions along the Lebanese-Syrian border, marked by recent violence despite a ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese government’s calls for cooperation and security enhancements highlight the complexities of the region, influenced by internal and external factors. The continued deployment of the Lebanese army aims to stabilize the border communities amidst these challenges.
Original Source: shafaq.com
