France has offered mediation to resolve recent clashes at the Syrian-Lebanese border. President Macron emphasized support for Lebanon during discussions with its leaders and invited Syrian transitional President Ahmad Sharaa to France. The clashes began on February 6 in the smuggling hotspot of Hawik, leading to military interventions, continued violence, and international airstrikes aimed at Hezbollah tunnels.
France has stepped forward to offer its mediation aimed at resolving the recent clashes along the Syrian-Lebanese border. President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the need for stabilization and extended support to Lebanon during conversations with both Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun. Furthermore, Macron has invited Syrian transitional President Ahmad Sharaa to visit France, seeking collaborative efforts towards peace.
The clashes, which began on February 6 in the border town of Hawik, have become intense as this area is notorious for smuggling activities. Violence erupted following the establishment of checkpoints by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led Military Operations Department, purportedly to combat smuggling, leading to violent confrontations with Lebanese tribes. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have since intervened, enforcing a heavy military presence to address ongoing border skirmishes.
In a statement, the Lebanese army confirmed that it issued orders to its units to respond to fire originating from Syrian territory. The military has intensified its operations along the border with measures such as establishing checkpoints and conducting surveillance patrols. Reports indicate that several fatalities occurred on both sides, with numerous injuries and mutual hostage exchanges between the clashes.
In recent developments, Lebanese tribes successfully downed a Syrian drone, aggravating the situation further as shelling from the Syrian side of the border continues. Additionally, Israeli airstrikes targeting the outskirts of Hermel have intensified, with claims that they targeted an underground Hezbollah tunnel used for arms transfers. This escalates an already precarious situation in the region, heightening tensions between various factions involved.
In summary, France’s mediation proposal strives to stabilize the escalating situation at the Syrian-Lebanese border. With increasing violence stemming from smuggling conflicts and military responses, both Lebanese and Syrian officials are now urged to work together to de-escalate tensions. The complexities of this conflict, compounded by outside interventions such as Israeli airstrikes, underscore the urgent need for effective diplomatic resolutions to safeguard civilian lives and maintain regional stability.
Original Source: thecradle.co
