Gunfire and shelling targeted Housh Al-Sayyid Ali during a funeral. The violence pertains to prior clashes over the death of individuals identified as smugglers. A ceasefire agreement has been reached, with the Lebanese army increasing its presence in the area. Hezbollah expresses commitment to support the army against external destabilizing forces.
On Thursday, gunfire and shelling from Syria’s Al-Qusayr countryside targeted the Lebanese border town of Housh Al-Sayyid Ali during a funeral for a local resident. Lebanese media reported the incident without specifying the extent of damage or casualties.
The violence in the region escalated following the death of three individuals labeled as Syrian soldiers by Syria’s Ministry of Defense. They accused Hezbollah of executing these individuals, a claim that Hezbollah has categorically denied. Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa clarified that the deceased were actually “three Syrian smugglers” and he urged enhanced cooperation between Lebanon and Syria to avert further security incidents.
In response to the tensions, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Beirut and Damascus after discussions between Minister Menassa and his Syrian counterpart Marhaf Abu Qasra. Subsequently, the Lebanese army entered Housh Al-Sayyid Ali on Wednesday to clear the area of remnants from the previous clashes and bolster military presence.
Furthermore, Hezbollah MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan lauded the deployment of the Lebanese army, encouraging support from border communities for its initiatives. He asserted Hezbollah’s commitment to the principle of “Army, People, Resistance” and cautioned against external attempts to destabilize the region, attributing tensions to “foreign intelligence activities and American influence.”
In summary, the recent violence in the Lebanese border town of Housh Al-Sayyid Ali underscores the fragile situation along the Lebanon-Syria border, particularly in light of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. With insufficient information regarding damage and casualties, the Lebanese Defense Ministry emphasizes the importance of cooperation to prevent future incidents. Additionally, the support from Hezbollah reveals the complexities of internal politics and external influences contributing to the region’s instability.
Original Source: shafaq.com
