Lebanon’s Military Retaliation Amid Escalating Border Tensions with Syria
Lebanon has ordered military retaliation against Syria following heightened border tensions involving cross-border gunfire and accusations of Hezbollah’s involvement in the abduction of Syrian soldiers. The conflict has escalated, leading to casualties on both sides and prompting calls for de-escalation and military deployment along the border.
On Monday, Lebanon’s president ordered military retaliation for gunfire originating from Syria, amidst a significant escalation of tensions at the border. Initial violence erupted following accusations by Syria’s interim government that militants from the Lebanese Hezbollah group had crossed into Syria, resulting in the abduction and subsequent killing of three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese territory.
The situation marks the most severe cross-border conflict since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December. An unnamed Defense Ministry official cited by Syrian News Channel reported that the Syrian army retaliated by shelling Hezbollah positions, which they claim resulted in the deaths of their soldiers; however, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in these events.
Lebanon’s Information Minister, Paul Morkos, indicated during a Cabinet meeting that the three deceased individuals were indeed smugglers, further complicating the narrative. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that five Syrian soldiers lost their lives during this clash. Footage has emerged, showing families fleeing toward the Lebanese town of Hermel amid rising hostilities.
As violence intensified on Monday, President Joseph Aoun emphasized the unsustainable nature of the border tensions and asserted, “What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue.” He instructed the Lebanese army to respond to the source of the attacks and requested Lebanon’s foreign minister reach out to Syrian authorities to mitigate the situation and avert further escalation.
Conflict has surged between the Syrian military and Lebanese Shiite clans loyal to the Assad regime, particularly near Al-Qasr in Lebanon. Reports state that these clans were active participants in the recent abductions that instigated the violence. Both Lebanese and Syrian military officials have initiated communication channels to deescalate tensions, accompanied by a deployment of Lebanese troops in the affected regions.
Additionally, incidents of low-level fighting were reported at dawn on Monday following an attack on a Syrian military vehicle. Casualty figures from this altercation remain unclear. On the morning of the clashes, four Syrian journalists embedded with the army sustained minor injuries from artillery fire originating from Lebanon, which they attributed to Hezbollah.
In another development, senior Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan claimed that combatants on the Syrian side had infiltrated Lebanese territory, launching attacks on villages along the border. Lebanon is actively pursuing international assistance to enhance military funding as it continues to deploy forces along its porous borders with Syria and Israel.
The ongoing conflict at the Lebanon-Syria border has witnessed significant escalation, prompting direct military orders from Lebanon’s president. The situation remains volatile, with various factions involved in hostilities, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic resolutions to prevent further violence. The Lebanese government seeks international support to strengthen its military presence in the borders, particularly in response to the persistent tensions with Syria.
Original Source: www.france24.com
