Lebanon’s President ordered troops to retaliate against gunfire from Syria after Hezbollah militants allegedly abducted and killed three Syrian soldiers. This confrontation marks a serious escalation in border tensions. Casualties were reported on both sides, with Lebanon seeking international military support amidst ongoing violence along the border.
On Monday, the President of Lebanon directed military forces to respond to gunfire originating from Syria, following an escalation in violent confrontations along their shared border. This recent outbreak of hostilities was triggered after the Syrian interim government accused militants from Hezbollah of crossing into Syria, leading to the abduction and murder of three soldiers on Lebanese territory.
This marked one of the most significant instances of cross-border violence since the removal of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December. An unverified report from a Syrian news channel indicated that the Syrian army retaliated by shelling what they identified as “Hezbollah gatherings,” resulting in the deaths of Syrian soldiers, a claim which Hezbollah categorically denied.
Lebanon’s Information Minister stated that the three individuals killed were allegedly smugglers. Further reporting revealed that one child died and six others sustained injuries within Lebanon among the chaos. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported five fatalities among Syrian soldiers during the confrontations. Visual evidence shared online portrayed the response from families fleeing towards the Lebanese town of Hermel.
As hostilities intensified, President Joseph Aoun expressed that the ongoing situation along the eastern border is intolerable and instructed the Lebanese army to retaliate against the source of the aggression. He also urged the foreign minister, attending a conference in Brussels, to engage with Syrian officials to de-escalate the situation.
Clashes in the area have escalated, particularly involving the Syrian military and Lebanese Shiite clans allied with the former Assad regime. Reports indicated that these clans played a role in the kidnappings that precipitated the latest incidents. In an effort to mediate, both Lebanese and Syrian military authorities have initiated communication channels.
Subsequent to the outbreak of hostilities, Lebanon’s military also acknowledged that they returned the deceased bodies of the three Syrian individuals. There were unverified reports of minor skirmishes occurring at daybreak and an attack on a Syrian military vehicle, though casualty figures remain uncertain. Additionally, four Syrian journalists embedded with the army were reportedly injured by an artillery shell purportedly fired from Lebanese territory.
Hezbollah’s legislator Hussein Haj Hassan claimed during an interview that fighters from Syria had entered Lebanese territory and assaulted border communities. Lebanon continues to seek international assistance to secure funding for its military forces as they deploy troops along the vulnerable northern and eastern fronts, as well as the southern border with Israel.
In summary, Lebanon’s response to the recent cross-border violence and threats emphasizes the tense situation along its border with Syria. The president’s orders to retaliate underscore the severity of the clashes that have occurred, which have involved casualties on both sides. As Lebanon seeks to stabilize its borders and engage with international partners for military support, ongoing tensions in the region remain a significant concern for regional security.
Original Source: www.stltoday.com
