Lebanese army responds to Syrian fire, intensifies border deployment

The Lebanese army has intensified its presence along the Syrian border, launching retaliatory fire after a series of attacks originating from Syrian territory.

In a statement, the Lebanese military confirmed that it had followed orders from President Joseph Aoun to respond to the fire directed at Lebanese territories, Caliber.Az reports Arab media sources.

Military units stationed along Lebanon's northern and eastern borders have been deployed to engage sources of the hostile fire with "appropriate weapons," following multiple shelling incidents in Lebanese regions.

The National News Agency (NNA) reported that an army observation tower in the Hermel area, located near the Syrian border, was struck by artillery fire, resulting in material damage but no casualties.

The Hermel district municipalities issued a strong plea for state intervention, urging the Lebanese government to act swiftly to safeguard civilians from repeated attacks coming from Syria. They emphasized the importance of the Lebanese army taking full responsibility for protecting local communities and halting the ongoing cross-border hostilities.

Additionally, the Lebanese Red Cross reported transporting eight injured individuals to hospitals in Hermel after shelling hit several villages along the northern border. The towns of Zakiyah, Ard al-Sabea, Sahlat al-Maa, and Qanafez were targeted, with civilians suffering injuries.

Syria's interim government has previously stated that military operations along the Lebanon-Syria border are aimed at dismantling smuggling routes and cracking down on illegal cross-border activities.

By Khagan Isayev