Clashes between Lebanese army and Syrian forces erupted on the northeastern border following accusations against Hezbollah. Conflicting accounts involve the deaths of three Syrian soldiers and retaliatory shelling from Syrian forces. President Aoun condemned the violence and authorized responses, while tensions persist amid complicated diplomatic relations.
The Lebanese army has been engaged in violent clashes with Syrian forces along Lebanon’s eastern border since Sunday night. These confrontations have escalated following accusations from the Syrian government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, claiming that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah kidnapped and killed three of its security personnel.
Conflicting reports concerning the incidents emerged from both factions. Hezbollah categorically denied any involvement, while a source from Lebanese security informed Reuters that three Syrian soldiers had entered Lebanese territory and were later killed by tribal members in northeastern Lebanon who felt threatened. In retaliation, Syrian forces shelled Lebanese towns, causing some civilians to evacuate.
The Lebanese military stated that the bodies of the three Syrian soldiers were returned to Syria and indicated that exchanges of gunfire occurred between both nations. In response to the hostilities, numerous Lebanese soldiers have been dispatched to the border area. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the ongoing violence on the eastern borders is intolerable, instructing the army to respond firmly to the sources of fire.
Currently, heavy skirmishes are reported vicinity of the northeastern town of Hosh al-Sayyed Ali. The history of conflict in the border area has been accentuated by the political shift in Syria post-Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which had once supported Hezbollah. Despite both President Aoun and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Shara expressing intentions to strengthen bilateral relations, the recent clashes and rising hostilities towards Hezbollah from the new Syrian government present substantial obstacles to peace and cooperation.
In summary, the recent clashes between the Lebanese army and Syrian forces highlight ongoing tensions along the border, exacerbated by accusations against Hezbollah and retaliatory actions from Syrian military forces. Both nations face significant challenges in managing relations amidst escalating violence, despite diplomatic intentions expressed by their leaders. The situation remains precarious, necessitating careful monitoring and potential conflict resolution efforts going forward.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
