Syrian border troops warn of Hezbollah's rising threat to national security, seize smuggled arms PHOTO

Clashes between Syrian security forces and Lebanese tribes and smugglers erupted recently, sparking further concerns about Hezbollah's increasing influence along the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Lieutenant Colonel Mu'ayyad al-Salama, commander of the Western Region in the Syrian Border Security Administration, voiced his concerns, stating that Hezbollah's presence has become a significant threat to border security, Caliber.Az reports, citing Arab media.

"We seized shipments of weapons and narcotics in the border areas with Lebanon," al-Salama reported, emphasizing that many of the smuggling gangs operating in these regions are linked to Hezbollah. Despite Hezbollah's military actions against Syrian forces, al-Salama clarified that the Lebanese interior had not been directly targeted. He reassured that operations were confined to the Syrian villages near the Lebanese border.

In a related development, the Security Directorate in Homs welcomed the deployment of the Lebanese army along the border, noting that coordination with the Lebanese forces has been ongoing. Nadim Madkhana, the Director of Border Security in Homs, told Al Arabiya/Al Hadath that the collaboration between the Military Operations Department and the Lebanese army is vital for maintaining stability in the region.

The Lebanese army had responded earlier in the week to fire that had crossed into Lebanese territory from Syria. A statement from the Lebanese military confirmed that its units deployed along the northern and eastern borders had retaliated against the sources of fire originating from Syrian territory.

This recent flare-up follows a broader security campaign initiated by Syrian authorities aimed at dismantling smuggling networks and removing militants and drug dealers from the border region. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the operation targets Hezbollah-linked individuals, including smugglers and drug traffickers.

The 330-kilometer border between Lebanon and Syria, especially in the northeast, remains largely unmarked, creating fertile ground for illegal crossings. Hezbollah, which began supporting Syrian forces in 2013, has used these border areas as a key logistical hub. The region is home to several Shiite-majority villages, some of which have a strong Lebanese presence, further complicating the border dynamics.

Despite these ongoing challenges, both Syrian and Lebanese officials have expressed hopes of resolving key issues, including the eradication of smuggling operations, the demarcation of borders, and the situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. As tensions rise along the border, the international community will likely continue to watch closely as both nations work to navigate these complex issues.

By Khagan Isayev