Syria and Lebanon Achieve Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Border Clashes

Syria and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire agreement to end two days of clashes along their border, prompted by lethal confrontations. The agreement enhances coordination and comes after Lebanese military action in response to gunfire from Syria. The conflict stems from accusations against Hezbollah, which it denies, amidst broader instability in Syria following regime changes and recent violence between pro-Assad factions and the new government.

In a significant development, representatives from the defense ministries of Syria and Lebanon have successfully agreed to a ceasefire along their shared border. This decision aims to quell the clashes that have persisted for two days, as reported by The Times of Israel. Moreover, the Syrian Ministry of Defense emphasized that this agreement also fosters enhanced coordination and cooperation between the two nations.

On March 17, Lebanese President Michel Aoun instructed the military to respond decisively to gunfire from the Syrian side of the border, which followed deadly clashes during the night. The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the tragic loss of seven Lebanese citizens and injuries to 52 others, including a four-year-old girl, due to the ongoing violence.

The armed confrontations began when the provisional Syrian government accused the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah of infiltrating the Syrian border, allegedly kidnapping three soldiers and killing them on Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has refuted these accusations, while some sources attribute the conflict to local clans engaged in border smuggling, distinct from Hezbollah’s operations.

These recent clashes represent the most severe cross-border violence since December 2022, when the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad faced a downfall. The political landscape remains turbulent with the exit of the Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, creating an environment of instability.

The new government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, is actively pursuing relations with Western nations. However, this has led to violent confrontations between Assad supporters and the new regime, resulting in 48 fatalities on both sides. The current Syrian president has denounced these incidents as attempts by Assad’s supporters to reignite a civil war in the country.

The ceasefire agreement between Syria and Lebanon marks a pivotal effort to halt escalating cross-border violence. With significant casualties reported in recent conflicts, the need for cooperation and coordination is evident. As the political landscape in Syria continues to evolve, the potential for further instability remains a concern, particularly amidst ongoing tensions between rival factions.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua