Hezbollah and Syrian flags flutter on a military vehicle in Western Qalamoun, Syria August 28, 2017. (photo credit: OMAR SANADIKI/REUTERS)
THE JERUSALEM POST | Published February 7, 2025
The confrontation between the Syrian Army and Hezbollah on Lebanese soil marks a major shift in regional dynamics.
The fighting, which began early Thursday, escalated as Syrian forces repelled Hezbollah’s attempted advances near the Syrian town of Al Qusayr, a longtime stronghold of the Iran-backed group.
A field source told The Media Line that Hezbollah fighters launched multiple attempts to push into Al Qusayr but were met with heavy resistance from the Syrian Army, which forced them back into Lebanon. As the situation escalated, Syrian forces crossed into Hawik, a Lebanese town in the Hermel region, where intense combat forced Hezbollah elements to retreat.
Lebanese political activist Omar Salloum, speaking to The Media Line, described Hawik as a border town frequently used for Hezbollah-run smuggling operations. The fighting, he said, lasted throughout the day, involving exchanges of gunfire with light and medium weapons. Mortar shells were also deployed by the Syrian Army to prevent further Hezbollah incursions near Al Qusayr, a strategic hub for smuggling weapons and drugs.
Amid the escalating violence, The Media Line obtained footage from Damascus showing Syrian Army personnel captured by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Reports suggest that these prisoners were being treated in violation of international detention standards. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that the Syrian Army had also captured Hezbollah fighters.
Fighters of the ruling Syrian body patrol the streets in Homs, Syria, December 26, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI)
Syrian border with Lebanon
Since the December 8, 2024, collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime, the new Syrian administration has worked to secure its porous border with Lebanon, aiming to curb arms and drug smuggling. Several large-scale smuggling operations have been intercepted in recent weeks, reflecting Syria’s renewed effort to assert control over its territory.
Historically, Hezbollah has relied on these smuggling routes to transport weapons, narcotics, and other supplies vital to its operations. However, as Hezbollah remains engaged in a prolonged conflict with Israel, its ability to operate freely along the border has been severely weakened. Despite these setbacks, Thursday’s clashes suggest Hezbollah is attempting to reassert its presence in border regions it once controlled.
While the extent of the conflict remains unclear, the confrontation between the Syrian Army and Hezbollah on Lebanese soil marks a major shift in regional dynamics. The new Syrian government’s willingness to engage Hezbollah militarily signals a break from past alliances, adding another layer of instability to the region.
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SOURCE: www.m.jpost.com
RELATED: Syrian Army Clashes with Hezbollah Fighters in Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions
TBN ISRAEL | Published February 7, 2025
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Syrian Army forces aligned with the newly established Syrian administration clashed with Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon’s Hermel region. This marks the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the decline of Hezbollah’s influence in Syria that such an armed confrontation has taken place.
The fighting, which began on Thursday morning, centered around the Syrian town of Al Qusayr, a longtime Hezbollah stronghold. Syrian forces successfully repelled several Hezbollah attempts to advance into the region, forcing them back into Lebanon. As the conflict intensified, Syrian troops crossed into the Lebanese town of Hawik in the Hermel region, where heavy fighting broke out. Hezbollah fighters were ultimately forced to retreat under fire from Syrian Army artillery and mortars.
Omar Salloum, a Lebanese political activist, revealed to The Media Line that Hawik has long been a hub for Hezbollah-run smuggling operations. The ongoing clashes, involving gunfire, mortar shelling, and exchanges of heavy artillery, further underscore the region’s volatility. The Syrian Army’s success in preventing Hezbollah from advancing in Al Qusayr marks a significant shift in the Syrian government’s approach to securing its porous border with Lebanon, where smuggling operations have been rampant.
The new Syrian administration is reportedly focused on curbing the flow of arms and narcotics across its border, leading to increased military operations aimed at regaining control over the border area. Hezbollah, which has relied heavily on these smuggling routes for weapons, drugs, and other supplies, is now facing increased challenges as its influence in the region continues to wane.
Also on Thursday, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted airstrikes on two Hezbollah military sites in Lebanon. These attacks were in response to the presence of Hezbollah weaponry and attempts to smuggle arms into Lebanese territory via the Syrian border. The IDF stated that Hezbollah’s actions violated the current ceasefire, which remains in effect until February 18, unless extended.
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SOURCE: www.tbnisrael.com
