The situation at the Lebanon-Syria border is rapidly deteriorating, following overnight clashes between Hezbollah partisans and the Syrian forces under the new authorities in Damascus. Early Monday morning, the Lebanese Army issued a statement announcing the implementation of exceptional security measures in the Al-Qasr region (north of Hermel), where clashes claimed the lives of at least three Syrians and three Lebanese.
"Intensive overnight (Sunday to Monday) communications took place between the Lebanese and Syrian authorities leading to the return of the three Syrian bodies to the authorities in Damascus," the statement said.
The Army further clarified that after "several Lebanese villages in the border region were targeted by gunfire from Syrian territory, the Lebanese Army immediately retaliated with appropriate force, reinforcing its deployment to restore stability." "Discussions are ongoing between the Lebanese Army’s General Staff and Syrian authorities to contain the escalation and ensure the security of the region," the statement concluded.
For his part, the commander of Syrian army operations on the border with Lebanon accused Hezbollah of “violating Syrian sovereignty” by infiltrating Syrian territory. In a statement to the Al-Arabiya channel, he said, “We will react to any infiltration.” The Syrian official also reported “coordination with the Lebanese army to control the border,” stressing that “border points have been secured.”
Hezbollah denied any responsibility for the clashes which occured on Monday morning.
Early that morning, two shells were fired from the Al-Qasr area. This attack coincided with reconnaissance flights by Syrian Iran-made ‘Shaheen’ drones along the border.
On Sunday, tensions had surged with heavy exchange of artillery between Syrian armed forces and Lebanese residents, primarily Shiite, many of whom are considered Hezbollah sympathizers.
Deadly Strikes
Various accounts have been put forward as to the origin of the clashes. According to reports from Al-Markazia, a Syrian soldier was killed when Hezbollah targeted a Syrian military post. Two others were also reportedly killed in a similar attack in the Zeita region, located in Homs province.
Citing a Syrian military source, Al-Jazeera reported that eight members of the Syrian Ministry of Defense were killed in a Hezbollah strike in the Homs countryside (Rif Homs). In retaliation, the Syrian army deployed largely along the border. Footage captured by Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath showed intense bombardment of Hezbollah positions, as well as sustained shelling of Hezbollah strongholds in the Hermel region, by the Syrian army.
A Showdown Between Damascus and Hezbollah
However, the showdown escalated dramatically after the Syrian Ministry of Defense accused Hezbollah of abducting and executing three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese soil. Damascus retaliated strongly by issuing a stern warning that it would take "decisive action" against the group.
According to the Syrian news agency SANA, the three soldiers had fallen into an ambush near the Zeita Dam before being transported to Lebanon, where they were executed. Hezbollah immediately denied any involvement in the incident, issuing an official statement that it had "no connection to the events on Syrian territory."
Iranian Concerns Amid Rising Violence
As violence intensified, Iranian officials voiced deep concern. Tehran condemned the "tragic" situation, accusing Israel of being the primary beneficiary of the unrest at the Lebanon-Syria border. It claimed that Tel Aviv aims to divide Syria and weaken its neighboring countries. Additionally, Iran stressed the importance of regional cooperation to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
In parallel, tensions in southern Lebanon with Israel are also on the rise. After midnight, Israeli Apache helicopters carried out extensive reconnaissance and sweeping operations near the town of Yaroun in Bint Jbeil district. Soon after, an Israeli armored unit entered the Aita al-Chaab area and its surrounding regions.
Amid airstrikes, military responses, and increasing political tensions, there are growing fears of a dangerous escalation that could have far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the borders of Lebanon and Syria.
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