Lebanese, Syrian leaders discuss border security amid escalating violence

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on February 7 that he had reached an agreement with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to enhance coordination in securing the borders between the two countries in light of escalating armed clashes along the frontier.

In an official statement, the Lebanese Presidency revealed that Aoun had spoken with al-Sharaa over the phone to extend his congratulations on al-Sharaa’s recent assumption of office as Syria’s president during the transitional period. The two leaders discussed urgent security concerns and agreed to strengthen efforts to ensure the security of the Lebanese-Syrian borders and prevent further attacks on civilians, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

The statement emphasized that the cooperation between the two nations is crucial in maintaining stability and security in the region. However, no official statement has been issued by the Syrian side regarding the details of the conversation or the agreement.

The discussion came in the wake of a deadly attack near the Lebanese-Syrian border, in which militants from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) opened fire, killing four members of Lebanese clans, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent.

The incident occurred shortly after clashes erupted on February 6 between HTS militants and residents of the border village of Qusayr. The residents managed to repel the militants, capturing two of them, while HTS detained 14 people from the nearby village of Hawik, including women and children. An agreement was eventually reached for an exchange of captives between the residents and HTS.

The exchange process began at 10 pm local time at the Josiah al-Qaa border crossing, where women and children were released in the town of al-Aqrabiyah. Under the supervision of the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese Red Cross, the exchange concluded an hour later, with HTS handing over two captives and releasing 16 women and children in exchange for two wounded militants and the body of one.

The recent violence marks an ongoing struggle in the region. In December, a Lebanese military patrol was ambushed by a gang of militants from Syrian territory near the town of Yanta-Rashaya, leaving one soldier injured. The Lebanese Army responded by sending additional personnel to the scene and implementing heightened security measures.

This attack is one of several incidents in which Lebanese border forces have been targeted by militants in the wake of the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Early in December, militants attempted to infiltrate a Lebanese army bastion in the Rashaya area but were thwarted after Lebanese forces fired warning shots, causing the assailants to retreat into Syrian territory.

By Vugar Khalilov