Syria and Lebanon Agree to Ceasefire Along Troubled Border After Hostilities Leave Dozens Dead
The ceasefire follows two days of intense clashes resulting in fatalities and injuries on both sides.
Syria and Lebanon have reached an agreement to implement a ceasefire along their shared border after two days of violent clashes that resulted in numerous casualties.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the defense ministers of both countries have agreed to halt hostilities, which have left at least ten Syrian soldiers dead and several others injured, according to Syrian media, while the Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the deaths of seven Lebanese nationals and injuries to 52 others during the same period.
The Lebanese Minister of Defense, Michel Monsef, discussed the developments with his Syrian counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qusra, emphasizing the need for ongoing communication between the Lebanese Army Intelligence and Syrian intelligence to prevent further escalation at the border.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health previously indicated that among the dead were individuals as young as 15.
The Syrian news agency SANA reported that the Syrian military successfully secured control over the border village of Hosh al-Sayyid after reportedly expelling members of the Lebanese group Hezbollah from the area.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had earlier given directives to the military to respond to sources of gunfire along the eastern and northeastern borders with Syria, stating that the current situation was unacceptable.
He has also engaged with Foreign Minister Youssef Raji to communicate with the Syrian delegation at a conference in Brussels, aiming to address the ongoing issues and maintain the sovereignty of both nations.
Following the clashes, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced that Minister Raji had met with his Syrian counterpart, Assad Sheibani, in Brussels to discuss the border tensions, resulting in further agreements to cooperate to defuse the situation.
During this latest round of conflict, gunfire exchanges reportedly occurred between Syrian forces and Lebanese soldiers, alongside armed groups in northeastern Lebanon.
The recent increase in tensions along the mountainous border aligns with earlier escalations following the ousting of opposition factions from areas nearby President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which is closely allied with Iran and Hezbollah.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense accused Hezbollah elements of intruding into Syrian territory, alleging the kidnapping and killing of three members of the new Syrian Army.
Hezbollah denied involvement, and an unnamed Lebanese security source stated that the deceased Syrian soldiers had initially crossed into Lebanese territory and were killed by local militants fearful of an impending attack.
In turn, the Syrian military conducted strikes on Lebanese border towns in response to these fatalities, prompting civilians in the border town of Al-Qasr to flee the area to avoid being caught in the violence.
The Lebanese military subsequently reported that it had handed over the bodies of the three deceased Syrian soldiers to Syrian authorities, while reinforcing its presence along the border to stabilize security conditions.
Reports indicate that today, the Syrian military dispatched a convoy of troops and tanks to the border area, with units firing into the air as they passed through towns en route.
Major Maher Al-Ziyouani, a commander of a Syrian military division stationed along the frontier, stated that significant military reinforcements were sent to bolster positions at the Syrian-Lebanese border and prevent further violations in the days ahead.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the defense ministers of both countries have agreed to halt hostilities, which have left at least ten Syrian soldiers dead and several others injured, according to Syrian media, while the Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the deaths of seven Lebanese nationals and injuries to 52 others during the same period.
The Lebanese Minister of Defense, Michel Monsef, discussed the developments with his Syrian counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qusra, emphasizing the need for ongoing communication between the Lebanese Army Intelligence and Syrian intelligence to prevent further escalation at the border.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health previously indicated that among the dead were individuals as young as 15.
The Syrian news agency SANA reported that the Syrian military successfully secured control over the border village of Hosh al-Sayyid after reportedly expelling members of the Lebanese group Hezbollah from the area.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had earlier given directives to the military to respond to sources of gunfire along the eastern and northeastern borders with Syria, stating that the current situation was unacceptable.
He has also engaged with Foreign Minister Youssef Raji to communicate with the Syrian delegation at a conference in Brussels, aiming to address the ongoing issues and maintain the sovereignty of both nations.
Following the clashes, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced that Minister Raji had met with his Syrian counterpart, Assad Sheibani, in Brussels to discuss the border tensions, resulting in further agreements to cooperate to defuse the situation.
During this latest round of conflict, gunfire exchanges reportedly occurred between Syrian forces and Lebanese soldiers, alongside armed groups in northeastern Lebanon.
The recent increase in tensions along the mountainous border aligns with earlier escalations following the ousting of opposition factions from areas nearby President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which is closely allied with Iran and Hezbollah.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense accused Hezbollah elements of intruding into Syrian territory, alleging the kidnapping and killing of three members of the new Syrian Army.
Hezbollah denied involvement, and an unnamed Lebanese security source stated that the deceased Syrian soldiers had initially crossed into Lebanese territory and were killed by local militants fearful of an impending attack.
In turn, the Syrian military conducted strikes on Lebanese border towns in response to these fatalities, prompting civilians in the border town of Al-Qasr to flee the area to avoid being caught in the violence.
The Lebanese military subsequently reported that it had handed over the bodies of the three deceased Syrian soldiers to Syrian authorities, while reinforcing its presence along the border to stabilize security conditions.
Reports indicate that today, the Syrian military dispatched a convoy of troops and tanks to the border area, with units firing into the air as they passed through towns en route.
Major Maher Al-Ziyouani, a commander of a Syrian military division stationed along the frontier, stated that significant military reinforcements were sent to bolster positions at the Syrian-Lebanese border and prevent further violations in the days ahead.
