Lebanon has ordered military retaliation against Syrian gunfire after deadly clashes linked to Hezbollah’s actions. Three Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed, prompting significant responses from both the Lebanese and Syrian armies. The situation remains tense, with ongoing violence and civilian casualties, highlighting the fragile security dynamics along the border.
In response to escalating violence along its border, the Lebanese government has ordered military retaliation against gunfire originating from Syria. This decision follows a significant confrontation in which fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah were accused of abducting and killing three Syrian soldiers, marking the most severe cross-border incident since the removal of former Syrian President Bashar Assad.
According to a Syrian official, the Syrian army retaliated by shelling Hezbollah positions, resulting in Syrian casualties. In Lebanon, Information Minister Paul Morkos clarified that the deceased individuals were smugglers, also reporting the death of a child and injuries to six others. Footage from the scene displayed civilians fleeing toward Hermel, indicating rising tensions.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun asserted that the ongoing situation along the eastern border is intolerable, mandating the Lebanese Army to respond to the source of fire. In addition, he has tasked the Foreign Minister with engaging Syrian officials to avert further conflict escalation. Local reports indicate that Lebanese and Syrian military communications have been established to mitigate tensions, and the Lebanese military has already returned the bodies of the three deceased Syrians.
On the ground, sporadic fighting has persisted, including a dawn attack on a Syrian military vehicle. Four Syrian journalists were also injured due to artillery fire from Lebanon, with Hezbollah being blamed for the incident. Hezbollah representative Hussein Haj Hassan highlighted the incursion of Syrian fighters into Lebanese villages, intensifying the complexity of the conflict in the northeast.
The Lebanese authorities are actively seeking international aid to bolster military funding as they position troops along the vulnerable borders with Syria and Israel. Concurrently, U.N. envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has raised concerns with the Security Council, cautioning that ongoing Israeli military presence could provoke severe consequences for the region.
The situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border remains precarious, with Lebanon’s military ordering a response to Syrian fire amidst rising tensions following the abduction and killing of soldiers. Both nations are attempting to address the conflict through communication and military deployments, while Lebanon seeks international support to strengthen border security. The potential for continued violence underscores the fragile nature of regional peace amidst lingering conflict.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
