Lebanon’s President Aoun has ordered military retaliation against Syrian gunfire after deadly clashes occurred, initially resulting from Hezbollah’s alleged actions. The conflict sees significant casualties as Lebanon and Syria navigate heightened tensions along their border. Communication has been initiated between the two nations to mitigate further violence while Lebanon seeks international military support.
On Monday, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun ordered military forces to retaliate against gunfire emanating from Syria, following severe cross-border confrontations. These skirmishes broke out after Syria’s interim government accused members of the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group of abducting and murdering three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese territory.
This series of clashes represents the most significant border conflict since the departure of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December. Reports indicate the Syrian army shelled what they claimed were Hezbollah positions along the border, leading to further fatalities. Hezbollah has refuted these allegations.
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morkos described the three deceased individuals as smugglers and confirmed that the violence resulted in one child’s death and six injuries on the Lebanese front. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported five Syrian soldiers died during the altercations on Monday, with media depicting families fleeing toward Hermel in Lebanon.
President Aoun asserted the need for immediate action on the border, stating, “What is happening along the eastern and northeastern border cannot continue and we will not accept that it continues.” He directed the Lebanese army to respond decisively to the source of fire and instructed the foreign minister to engage with Syrian counterparts to avert further escalation.
Tensions have recently surged between the Syrian military and Lebanese Shiite clans aligned with the former Assad government. Communication channels have reportedly been established between the Lebanese and Syrian military forces, while Lebanese troops have been mobilized in the conflict-affected areas. Early reports suggested ongoing low-level skirmishes following an assault on a Syrian military vehicle, but details regarding casualties remain unclear.
Four Syrian journalists were injured by an artillery shell fired from Lebanon at their position early Monday and accused Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack. Additionally, Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan claimed that armed combatants from the Syrian side had intruded within Lebanese territory, targeting border villages. Lebanon is actively seeking international assistance to strengthen military funding as it fortifies its borders with Syria and Israel.
In summary, escalating tensions along the Lebanon-Syria border have prompted significant military responses from both sides, with casualties reported and ongoing clashes. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has asserted the need for retaliation against Syrian fire while seeking resolutions to defuse the situation. The intricate relationship between Hezbollah, Syrian forces, and local clans adds layers of complexity to the unfolding conflict, with Lebanon strengthening its military presence in response to recent violent occurrences.
Original Source: www.stltoday.com
