Lebanon army says returned fire coming from Syria in border area

The Lebanese army stated that it had retaliated against incoming fire from across the Syrian border on Saturday. This followed the announcement by new Syrian authorities, two days prior, about their crackdown on smugglers in the region.

Under directives from President Joseph Aoun, “the army command issued orders to military units stationed on the northern and eastern borders to respond to the sources of fire originating from Syrian territory,” the statement read.

“These units have commenced response using appropriate weaponry, considering the recent clashes.”

The army did not specify who was responsible for the fire targeting Lebanon.

Earlier, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that Syrian fire had hit the northeastern Hermel border area, injuring eight individuals.

On Friday, Aoun had a conversation with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa about “controlling the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border and preventing harm to civilians.”

On Thursday, the newly established Syrian authorities, who overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad, a Hezbollah ally, announced a security operation in the Homs border region aimed at “shutting down smuggling routes for weapons and contraband.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the campaign focused on “smugglers, wanted drug dealers, and individuals linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah group.”

During this time, Syria reported “clashes between border security forces and several wanted individuals,” noting that smugglers had been detained.

Syria shares a 330-kilometer (205-mile) border with Lebanon, with several sections lacking official demarcation, making it susceptible to smuggling.

Hezbollah exerts influence over large areas along the Lebanese-Syrian border and has fought alongside al-Assad’s forces in Syria’s conflict.

The fall of al-Assad in December disrupted the group’s arms supply routes through the land border with Syria.