Fighting Between Syria’s New Regime and Hezbollah Along Syria-Lebanon Border Intensifies
Clashes intensified Monday along the Syria-Lebanon border between Syrian forces and Hezbollah-aligned fighters.
The ongoing violence along the border follows the abduction and killing of three Syrian soldiers in Lebanon on Sunday. Syria had accused Hezbollah of the attack, which the group denied. In response, Syrian forces shelled Hezbollah positions, triggering prolonged clashes near Al-Qasr and Housh al-Sayyid Ali.
According to reports, fighting continued in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate prompting Syria to send reinforcements, including tanks and artillery, near Homs and the Syria-Lebanon border.
The Lebanese Army also joined the fighting and deployed special forces in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate following the order of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Aoun earlier vowed to secure Lebanon’s borders, saying: “We will not allow this situation to continue. I have given clear orders to respond to sources of fire.” He had also ordered Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, currently at a Brussels conference on Syria, to engage with the Syrian delegation to resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported seven dead and 52 wounded. 10 Syrian soldiers have been killed in the clashes so far, according to Al Jazeera.
On Monday, the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that the Syrian army captured Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, a village on the Syria-Lebanon border, during the clashes. This is the first time the Syrian military has taken control of the area since 2013.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also launched strikes on Hezbollah military sites and in southern Lebanon on Monday, citing security threats. The military also said the IDF struck two Hezbollah terrorists in Yohmor in Southern Lebanon.
