Hezbollah swiftly denied involvement, issuing a statement distancing itself from the violence [Getty]
Tensions escalated along the Syria-Lebanon border over the weekend following a series of violent incidents that have left several people dead, including civilians, and injured at least two journalists.
The violence erupted after a period of calm, sparking concerns about growing instability in the region.
The latest flare-up began on Sunday night in the Hermel region near the border, with brief calm restored on Monday morning before clashes resumed later that day.
According to Lebanese media, two journalists were injured during the renewed exchanges, while Syrian reconnaissance drones were reported to be flying over the area.
What happened on Monday?
After a tense but brief calm on Monday morning, two shells fired from Qusayr in Syria landed near the town of al-Qasr in Lebanon’s Baalbeck-Hermel region. Syrian reconnaissance drones were seen hovering over the area during the incident, according to the Lebanese daily L’Orient–Le Jour.
By midday, a rocket launched from Lebanese territory injured a journalist and a photographer near the Zaita checkpoint in Syria’s Homs countryside, according to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA.
The rocket reportedly landed near media teams from Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath, who were accompanying Syrian army personnel.
Al-Arabiya reported that the strike had killed at least two Syrian soldiers, with Syrian media blaming Hezbollah for the attack.
In response to the escalating violence, Syria’s information ministry condemned the attack on journalists and urged Lebanon to investigate those responsible, reiterating accusations against Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Syrian forces were reported to have deployed additional troops along the border following the violence.
According to Al-Jazeera, eight members of Syria’s defence ministry and two civilians were killed in a “Hezbollah strike” on the Homs countryside. It remains unclear whether this attack was linked to the incident that injured journalists. The Lebanese army has yet to confirm details about the reported strike.
Adding to the tension, Syrian forces reportedly detained two Syrian nationals in the Lebanese town of Fayadieh at dawn. Their bodies were later found in the border village of Sad Matraba, with no immediate explanation linking their deaths to the border clashes.
How did the tensions begin?
The violence initially erupted on Sunday when clashes broke out between Lebanese residents, reportedly affiliated with Hezbollah, and Syrian military forces.
According to security sources, four armed men – believed to be part of Syria’s new security forces – attempted to cross into Lebanese territory near the village of al-Qasr.
They were reportedly repelled by a group of armed Lebanese clans, resulting in two Lebanese fatalities and two others wounded. The wounded individuals were taken to local hospitals by the Lebanese Red Cross.
Later, the bodies of several Syrian soldiers were found near the border, believed to be those of the four armed men who had attempted to cross earlier.
Three bodies were initially discovered, while a fourth injured Syrian was treated in hospital before being handed over to Syrian authorities.
Despite the return of the bodies to Syrian authorities, Damascus escalated its rhetoric later that evening, accusing Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack on Syrian soldiers and describing the incident as a “dangerous escalation”.
Hezbollah swiftly denied involvement, issuing a statement distancing itself from the violence.
Is Hezbollah involved?
While Syrian authorities have directly blamed Hezbollah for the violence, Lebanese military sources have denied the group’s involvement.
According to a Lebanese military source quoted by L’Orient-Le Jour, the four slain Syrian soldiers were likely killed by “other Syrian militiamen” rather than Lebanese clans or Hezbollah.
The source described the situation as “chaotic” and said Lebanese forces were coordinating with Syrian authorities, though the latter was reportedly struggling to maintain control on the ground.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed the violence, calling for calm and urging all sides to avoid escalation.
“The safety and security of Lebanese citizens is our priority,” Aoun said in a statement. “We are working closely with the Lebanese Army to contain the situation and prevent further bloodshed.”
The violence has triggered concern among Lebanese officials and political figures. Ihab Hamadeh, a Hezbollah-affiliated MP, called on President Aoun and the Lebanese army to ensure the safety of Lebanese citizens in the border regions.
