Lebanon’s President Orders Military Retaliation Amid Rising Tensions with Syria
Lebanon’s President Aoun orders military retaliation against Syria due to rising border tensions after Hezbollah militants allegedly abducted and killed Syrian soldiers. The Syrian army has responded with shelling, increasing hostilities in the region. Lebanon aims to enhance military support internationally while striving to de-escalate conflicts with Syria.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has ordered military retaliation against gunfire from Syria due to escalating tensions along the border. Recent violence involved clashes between the Syrian military and armed Lebanese Shiite clans allied with the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This situation intensified after accusations that militants from Hezbollah abducted and killed three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese soil.
The Syrian army responded with shelling of alleged Hezbollah gatherings, while Hezbollah has denied any involvement in these incidents. Information Minister Paul Morkos reported that the Lebanese Defence Minister stated that the three slain were smugglers, with additional casualties including a child and six wounded individuals from Lebanon.
The clashes marked the most significant cross-border violence since the fall of Assad in December. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the deaths of five Syrian soldiers during recent confrontations, leading to increased military tensions near Hermel, Lebanon.
President Aoun emphasized that the ongoing situation along the eastern and northeastern border is unacceptable and has instructed the Lebanese army to retaliate. He also directed the foreign minister to engage with Syrian officials to mitigate further escalation.
The violence has primarily involved armed Lebanese clans linked to Syria’s former government, with Lebanese and Syrian military leaders reportedly establishing communication channels for de-escalation. Following low-level fighting and attacks on military vehicles, Lebanon has deployed a substantial number of troops to the border region.
Additionally, early reports indicated that four Syrian journalists were lightly injured by an artillery shell from the Lebanese side. Senior Hezbollah legislator Hussein Haj Hassan accused Syrian fighters of crossing into Lebanon to attack border villages. Lebanon continues to seek international support to bolster its military presence along the borders with Syria and Israel.
In pursuit of security, Lebanon’s President Aoun has mobilized military forces in response to escalating tensions with Syria following recent violent events. The rising concerns stem from cross-border clashes involving Hezbollah and Syrian military personnel, with Lebanon actively seeking diplomatic channels to address the situation. Continued military engagement and international support remain pivotal as tensions simmer along the volatile Lebanese-Syrian border.
Original Source: www.france24.com
