The town of Housh Al-Sayyid Ali in Lebanon was attacked amid a ceasefire with Syria. Gunfire from the Syrian side occurred during a funeral, following clashes triggered by recent killings. Lebanon’s Defense Minister clarified the nature of the deceased, and Hezbollah’s MP called for community support of the army, citing external destabilizing forces.
On Thursday, the Lebanese border town of Housh Al-Sayyid Ali was subjected to gunfire and shelling from Syria’s Al-Qusayr region during the funeral of a local resident. Reports from Lebanese media have not provided further information regarding potential casualties or material damage following this attack.
This incident followed recent clashes in the area, which were reportedly initiated by the killing of three individuals, who were labeled as Syrian soldiers by Syria’s Ministry of Defense. Hezbollah, however, has denied the allegations of their involvement. Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa clarified that the deceased were “three Syrian smugglers,” whose bodies had been returned to Syrian authorities, emphasizing the need for enhanced cooperative security efforts between Lebanon and Syria.
A ceasefire was established between Beirut and Damascus after Defense Minister Menassa spoke with his Syrian counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qasra. The Lebanese army subsequently entered Housh Al-Sayyid Ali on Wednesday, where they cleared remnants of the clashes and fortified military positions in the vicinity.
Hezbollah MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan commended the Lebanese army’s deployment. He encouraged support from border communities for the Lebanese army’s initiatives, reasserting Hezbollah’s dedication to the “Army, People, Resistance” doctrine. Furthermore, he cautioned that external entities are striving to destabilize the region, attributing the friction to “foreign intelligence activities and American influence.”
The recent attack on Housh Al-Sayyid Ali illustrates ongoing tensions along the Lebanese-Syrian border amidst the fragile ceasefire. The Lebanese army’s efforts to reinforce security following violent incidents reflect the complex dynamics between the two nations. Both Lebanese and Syrian officials are called to strengthen collaborative measures to prevent future escalations. The involvement of external influences further complicates the regional stability, as noted by local leaders.
Original Source: shafaq.com
