The Syrian Army has launched a military offensive against Hezbollah in border areas, leading to casualties and enhanced security cooperation with Lebanese forces. This confrontation marks a strategic shift in Syria’s approach to Iranian influence, under the new leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as the country seeks to reclaim control and limit Hezbollah’s operations.
The Syrian Army has initiated a comprehensive military campaign aimed at removing Iranian regime-supported Hezbollah militants from vital border areas near Lebanon. This confrontation signifies a notable escalation in the tension between the Syrian government and Tehran’s allied forces. Reports from reputable sources, including Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia, indicate significant casualties on both sides, alongside heightened Syrian-Lebanese cooperation concerning security against Hezbollah.
Heavy confrontations have erupted in Hosh Al-Sayyid Ali, a strategically significant town under Hezbollah’s control since 2013. According to Al Arabiya, the Syrian Army has commenced extensive artillery and missile strikes directed at Hezbollah positions. A Syrian defense ministry representative announced that the objective is to “completely retake the town” and secure the border from Hezbollah’s illicit activities, such as smuggling and arms trafficking.
Sky News Arabia has reported that the Syrian Army is now collaborating closely with Lebanese forces to fortify border security. The Lebanese Army has also taken action against Hezbollah attacks, indicating that the group’s provocations are straining relationships with previous allies in Lebanon. An official military source from Lebanon stated, “Our forces have been ordered to respond to any attacks from Syrian territory.”
In retaliation, Hezbollah fighters have attempted to counteract the Syrian military’s advances, reportedly launching rocket strikes into Syrian Army positions near Homs. However, Syrian forces intensified their assault, prompting Hezbollah’s withdrawal from several regions. Sky News Arabia mentions that Hezbollah has incurred considerable losses, with reports indicating that at least 12 Hezbollah militants and 8 Syrian soldiers have died in the ongoing conflicts.
This series of encounters along the Lebanon-Syria border represents a significant transformation in Syria’s approach towards Iranian influence. Hezbollah, long regarded as Tehran’s principal military proxy in the area, has played a crucial role in extending Iran’s reach within Syria. Nevertheless, the new leadership in Syria, under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is actively contesting this established relationship. Syrian officials have conveyed a resolve to “restore full control” over the nation’s borders while curbing Hezbollah’s unauthorized operations, underscoring an effort to reclaim national sovereignty and limit external interference.
This evolving situation presents a direct challenge to the Iranian regime’s aspirations in the region. The possible forfeiture of Hezbollah’s critical positions in Syria would substantially undermine Tehran’s strategic ‘Axis of Resistance’ against both Western and Arab adversaries. Furthermore, military defeats for Hezbollah could galvanize opposition within Lebanon, thereby diminishing Iran’s influence in the nation.
The current developments signify increasing rifts within the Iran-led alliance, as Damascus places national interests above Tehran’s aggressive agenda. Under military duress from both Syrian and Lebanese forces, Hezbollah is becoming increasingly isolated, a trend that may mark a reduction in Tehran’s unchecked authority in Syria.
The Syrian Army’s military operation against Hezbollah signifies a pivotal shift in Syria’s stance against Iranian influence. As clashes intensify, both Syrian and Lebanese forces are acting to reclaim control and curtail Hezbollah’s operations. This development not only challenges Iran’s regional ambitions but also indicates a potential decline in its influence over both Syria and Lebanon, showcasing a prioritization of national sovereignty by the Syrian administration under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
