Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has ordered military retaliation against Syria due to cross-border gunfire and recent fatalities attributed to clashes with Hezbollah. Tensions have escalated following accusations by Syria’s interim government regarding Hezbollah’s involvement in the abduction and killing of soldiers. Diplomatic efforts are being pursued to resolve the conflict and mitigate further violence along the border.
In response to cross-border gunfire from Syria, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has mandated military retaliation. This decision follows a surge of violence along the border, after Syria’s interim government accused Hezbollah militants of abducting and killing three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese soil. The recent clashes mark the most significant conflict since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December.
Reports indicate that the Syrian army has shelled Hezbollah positions, purportedly due to their involvement in the deaths of Syrian soldiers along the border. However, Hezbollah has rejected these claims. Information Minister Paul Morkos stated that those killed were smugglers, while also mentioning that a child died and six others were injured within Lebanon.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, five Syrian soldiers were killed amid the escalating confrontation. Footage circulated in media shows displaced families moving from the affected areas near Hermel, where fighting intensified later in the evening. President Aoun expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing violence, stating, “What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue and we will not accept that it continues.”
Aoun has directed Lebanon’s foreign minister, currently attending a conference in Brussels, to engage with Syrian officials to address the issue and mitigate further escalation. There has been an uptick in tensions between the Syrian military and Lebanese Shiite clans allied with the former Assad regime, particularly in the border village of Al-Qasr.
Both Lebanese and Syrian military forces have opened communication channels to alleviate tensions, while Lebanon’s military has reported the return of the bodies of the three deceased Syrians. The area has seen an increase in troop deployments, with reports of minor conflicts occurring, including an early morning incident in which four Syrian journalists were injured by artillery fire from Lebanon’s side of the border.
Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan accused Syrian fighters of crossing into Lebanon and attacking border communities in his region, which has experienced significant violence. Lebanon is actively seeking international assistance to enhance its military capabilities, especially as it fortifies its borders with Syria and Israel.
In conclusion, Lebanon’s ongoing military engagement with Syria reflects escalating tensions stemming from cross-border violence. President Joseph Aoun has called for retaliation against aggression, while efforts are underway to facilitate diplomatic discussions. The situation remains precarious, with the potential for further conflict as Lebanon seeks to bolster its military strength amidst regional challenges.
Original Source: www.stripes.com
