Lebanon’s President ordered military retaliation against gunfire from Syria after deadly clashes. Tensions escalated following allegations that Hezbollah kidnapped and killed Syrian soldiers. The conflict reflects ongoing violence since Assad’s ouster and involves Lebanese Shiite clans family connections to Syria. President Aoun sought resolution with Syrian officials to prevent further incidents.
On Monday, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun directed the military to respond to gunfire originating from the Syrian border following intense cross-border fighting. This clash was ignited by Syria’s interim government alleging that Hezbollah militants had crossed into Syria, taken three soldiers hostage, and killed them on Lebanese territory. This escalation represents the most severe violence witnessed since the removal of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December.
According to an unnamed official from the Syrian Defense Ministry, the Syrian army retaliated by shelling Hezbollah positions, which reportedly resulted in Syrian soldier fatalities. However, Hezbollah has denied these allegations. Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morkos later informed the Cabinet that those killed were believed to be smugglers, while one child on the Lebanese side was reported dead and six others injured.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that five Syrian soldiers died during the fighting on Monday. Reports indicated that civilians were fleeing toward the Lebanese town of Hermel as clashes escalated once more. President Aoun emphasized that Lebanon would not tolerate ongoing violence at its borders, stating, “What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue and we will not accept that it continues.”
Aoun also proposed that Lebanon’s foreign minister, currently in Brussels for a fundraising conference, maintain dialogue with Syrian officials to de-escalate tensions. Fighting has surged recently between the Syrian army and Lebanese Shiite clans allied with Assad’s former regime. Reports suggest these clans were involved in the abduction incident that led to the current hostilities.
Furthermore, both Lebanese and Syrian military forces have established communication channels to mitigate tensions. Lebanon’s military confirmed the return of the bodies of the three deceased Syrians, while a significant troop presence has been deployed in the region. Reports mentioned minor clashes on the Syrian military front following an attack on their vehicle, resulting in unclear casualties.
At dawn on Monday, four Syrian journalists traveling with the Syrian army sustained minor injuries from a shell fired from the Lebanese border. They attributed the attack to Hezbollah. In a recent television interview, Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan accused Syrian forces of breaching into Lebanese territory and attacking border villages, particularly affecting his constituency in Baalbek-Hermel. Meanwhile, Lebanon continues to pursue international support to enhance its military resources as it fortifies its borders with both Syria and Israel.
In summary, recent cross-border violence between Lebanon and Syria has intensified, with Lebanon announcing retaliatory measures against aggression from the Syrian side. President Joseph Aoun has emphasized the necessity of responding to repeated attacks while seeking diplomatic channels to prevent further escalation. The situation underscores the complexities of regional security, the involvement of various armed groups, and the urgent need for international assistance in bolstering Lebanon’s military capabilities.
Original Source: www.stripes.com
