Syrian forces engaged in clashes with Lebanese soldiers and armed groups in northeastern Lebanon overnight and into Monday, marking a fresh escalation along the shared border. The mountainous border region has remained tense in the three months since rebels overthrew Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Iran and Hezbollah, and established their own governing institutions and military.
On Sunday evening, Syria’s defense ministry alleged that Hezbollah had crossed into Syrian territory, abducting and killing three members of Syria’s new army. Hezbollah, however, denied any involvement in the incident.
A Lebanese security source informed Reuters that the three Syrian soldiers had initially crossed into Lebanese territory, where they were killed by armed members of a local tribe in northeastern Lebanon. The tribe reportedly acted out of fear that their town was under attack. In response to the deaths, Syrian forces launched artillery strikes on several Lebanese border towns overnight, as confirmed by both the Syrian defense ministry and the Lebanese army.
The clashes resulted in the death of a Lebanese child and left six others injured, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese government on Monday. The incident highlights the ongoing volatility in the region, where tensions have simmered since the fall of Assad’s regime and the rise of rebel forces. The border area remains a hotspot for conflict, with both sides accusing each other of provocations and violations.
