Clashes intensified Monday along the Syria-Lebanon border between Syrian forces and Hezbollah-aligned fighters.
The ongoing violence along the border follows the abduction and killing of three Syrian soldiers in Lebanon on Sunday. Syria had accused Hezbollah of the attack, which the group denied. In response, Syrian forces shelled Hezbollah positions, triggering prolonged clashes near Al-Qasr and Housh al-Sayyid Ali.
According to reports, fighting continued in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate prompting Syria to send reinforcements, including tanks and artillery, near Homs and the Syria-Lebanon border.
Heavy fighting between the Syrian Army and Hezbollah alongside now also the Lebanese Army, is still ongoing in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate of Northeastern Lebanon, with at least 10 soldiers of the Syrian Army having been killed so far as well as dozens of Hezbollah fighters… pic.twitter.com/IMQ3nTOkA0
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 17, 2025
The Lebanese Army also joined the fighting and deployed special forces in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate following the order of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Aoun earlier vowed to secure Lebanon’s borders, saying: “We will not allow this situation to continue. I have given clear orders to respond to sources of fire.” He had also ordered Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, currently at a Brussels conference on Syria, to engage with the Syrian delegation to resolve the crisis.
The Lebanese Army has announced the deployment of special forces units to Northern Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, near the border between Syria and Lebanon, as fighting continues to escalate with the Syrian Army, who is targeting Hezbollah in response to the kidnapping and murder of… pic.twitter.com/8KLaKlveOt
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 17, 2025
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported seven dead and 52 wounded. 10 Syrian soldiers have been killed in the clashes so far, according to Al Jazeera.
On Monday, the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that the Syrian army captured Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, a village on the Syria-Lebanon border, during the clashes. This is the first time the Syrian military has taken control of the area since 2013.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also launched strikes on Hezbollah military sites and in southern Lebanon on Monday, citing security threats. The military also said the IDF struck two Hezbollah terrorists in Yohmor in Southern Lebanon.
More strikes today:
IDF: A short while ago, the IDF struck Hezbollah military sites in which Hezbollah terrorists and weapons were identified.
Terror activity at these sites poses a threat to the State of Israel and constitutes a blatant violation of the understandings between… https://t.co/SBKr3Vq5nt
— Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) March 17, 2025
