Lebanon Declares Military Retaliation Amid Rising Border Tensions with Syria

Lebanon’s President Aoun has ordered military retaliation against Syria following gunfire incidents amidst rising border tensions. Clashes erupted following accusations of Hezbollah’s militants crossing into Syria, leading to the abduction and killing of Syrian soldiers. The situation has intensified, prompting diplomatic efforts and underscoring the need for support in bolstering Lebanon’s military capabilities.

Lebanon’s leadership has taken a firm stance against recent gunfire originating from Syria, with President Joseph Aoun ordering troops to retaliate following heightened cross-border tensions. This surge in violence is attributed to clashes between the Syrian military and armed Lebanese Shiite clans allied with ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Tensions escalated dramatically after Syria’s interim government accused Hezbollah militants of crossing into Syria, leading to the abduction and killing of three soldiers on Lebanese territory. This incident marks the most significant cross-border conflict since Assad’s ouster in December.

According to a Syrian news channel, the Syrian army responded by shelling Hezbollah gatherings, which purportedly resulted in Syrian casualties. Hezbollah denied any involvement, asserting that the three individuals killed were smugglers. Infants and civilians were also casualties of the violence, with multiple injuries reported on the Lebanese side.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported multiple fatalities among the Syrian soldiers during the recent skirmishes, with graphic footage revealing the plight of families in the affected Lebanese town of Hermel. President Aoun emphasized that such violence is intolerable and reiterated his order to the military to retaliate.

In efforts to manage the situation, Aoun instructed the Lebanese foreign minister, currently participating in a donors conference in Brussels, to engage with Syrian officials to mediate and avert further conflict escalation. Violence has surged primarily between the Syrian armed forces and Lebanese clans based around Al-Qasr.

To mitigate tensions, both the Lebanese and Syrian military establishments have opened channels of communication, and Lebanese military forces have been deployed in the vicinity. Recent reports have highlighted incidents of low-level skirmishes and injuries among Syrian journalists stationed with their military, accusing Hezbollah of initiating an attack.

Furthermore, Hezbollah’s legislator, Hussein Haj Hassan, claimed that fighters from Syria infiltrated into Lebanese territory and mounted attacks on border villages. In response to this escalating situation, Lebanon has sought international assistance to fortify its military capacity at its northern and eastern borders with Syria, as well as with Israel.

In conclusion, the escalating tensions between Lebanon and Syria have resulted in significant military responses and casualties on both sides. Lebanon’s President Aoun has asserted the necessity for retaliatory measures while seeking diplomatic channels to mitigate further violence. The ongoing clashes reflect deeper regional issues linked to the legacy of Syria’s past leadership and the continued instability along the borders, prompting Lebanon to pursue additional international support for its military.

Original Source: www.france24.com