Lebanon’s President has ordered military retaliation against Syria after heightened border tensions, following accusations of Hezbollah militants abducting and killing Syrian soldiers. The conflict has escalated since December, raising concerns about ongoing violence along the border and leading to casualties on both sides. Lebanon seeks international support to strengthen its military forces amid this crisis.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has commanded troops to retaliate against Syria following an escalation of violence at the border. The tensions flared after Syria’s interim government accused Hezbollah militants from Lebanon of crossing over, abducting, and killing three soldiers on Lebanese territory. This incident marks the most severe border conflict since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Reports indicate that Syrian artillery targeted Hezbollah gatherings, allegedly resulting in casualties among Syrian soldiers, despite Hezbollah denying any involvement. Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morkos clarified that the deceased were considered smugglers and mentioned that one child was also killed, along with six injured individuals on the Lebanese side.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported five Syrian soldiers were killed during clashes. Eyewitness accounts and media footage showed residents fleeing in the Lebanese town of Hermel. Tensions escalated in this region following conflicting claims from both nations’ armed forces regarding the recent incidents on the border.
“What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue, and we will not accept that it continues,” President Aoun stated on social media. He has tasked Lebanon’s foreign minister, currently in Brussels, with contacting Syrian authorities to prevent further escalation of conflict.
The situation deteriorated as violence surged between the Syrian military and Lebanese Shiite clans allied with Assad’s former regime. Reports suggest that these clans may have been involved in the previous abductions that triggered the conflict. Both Lebanese and Syrian armies have initiated communication channels to diffuse the tension, with Lebanon’s military confirming the return of the three deceased Syrians’ bodies.
In the preceding days, minor skirmishes were reported, and four Syrian journalists were injured by artillery fire attributed to Lebanese sources. A senior Hezbollah legislator accused Syrian forces of launching attacks on Lebanese territory. Lebanon continues to pursue international support to bolster its military presence along its borders with Syria and Israel amidst ongoing instability.
The border tensions between Lebanon and Syria have escalated significantly, prompting President Joseph Aoun to order retaliation against Syrian gunfire. Following accusations of cross-border abductions by Hezbollah, violence has intensified, resulting in multiple casualties. Efforts for communication between the Lebanese and Syrian armies are in motion to mitigate the situation, highlighting an urgent need for international support as Lebanon seeks to reinforce its military capabilities in the region.
Original Source: www.france24.com
