Lebanon Escalates Military Response Amid Border Tensions with Syria
Lebanon’s President has ordered military retaliation after gunfire from Syria led to deadly clashes, predominantly involving Lebanese Shiite clans and the Syrian military. Amidst rising tensions, Aoun is pursuing diplomatic channels for resolution while military presence along the border is heightened.
As tensions rise along the Lebanon-Syria border, President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon has ordered military retaliation following gunfire from Syria. The violence, considered the most severe since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, involves clashes between the Syrian military and armed Lebanese Shiite groups linked to Assad’s regime. This escalation was triggered after militants allegedly affiliated with Hezbollah reportedly crossed into Syria, leading to the abduction and deaths of three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese soil.
In response to the escalating confrontations, Aoun has taken a firm stance, declaring that Lebanon will not tolerate continuous aggression. He instructed army forces to respond decisively to the aggressors. The Defense Minister, in a Cabinet meeting, informed that the fatalities included suspected smugglers, alongside the tragic loss of a child and six other injuries on the Lebanese side during recent exchanges of fire.
Reports indicate that fighting intensified near the town of Hermel. The Syrian News Channel announced the Syrian army’s artillery targeting Hezbollah strongholds following allegations of harm to Syrian soldiers. However, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the ongoing violence. Additionally, five Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed in Monday’s clashes, as verified by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Amidst this turmoil, Aoun has reached out to Lebanon’s foreign minister, who is currently attending a conference in Brussels, to engage with Syrian officials in hopes of defusing the situation. Both the Lebanese and Syrian militaries have opened communication channels to mitigate tensions, while considerable Lebanese troop deployments have been reported in the sensitive border region.
Further conflicts arose with low-level skirmishes reported at dawn following an attack on a Syrian military vehicle. Additionally, four Syrian journalists were lightly injured from shelling attributed to Lebanese artillery, with Hezbollah being accused of the attack. In light of these events, Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Haj Hassan remarked on cross-border incursions from Syria targeting Lebanese villages.
As Lebanon seeks to amplify its military capabilities amid increasing border instability, it has prompted an appeal for international financial support to bolster its forces along the porous borders with Syria and Israel.
In summary, Lebanon has escalated military responses due to increasing tensions with Syria, particularly following cross-border incidents involving gunfire and abductions. President Joseph Aoun has prioritized a defensive strategy, ensuring retaliation against aggressors while seeking diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the situation. The ongoing violence illustrates the complexities at the Lebanon-Syria border, necessitating international assistance for Lebanon’s military amid pressing security challenges.
Original Source: www.france24.com
