Syrian-Lebanese border tensions rise: Soldier killed, journalists injured VIDEO

Tensions on the Syrian-Lebanese border have reached new heights with a series of violent clashes between Syrian forces and Hezbollah militants, culminating in the death of a Syrian soldier and the injury of several others.

The recent escalation has also left several journalists wounded, including Al Arabiya photographer Rustum Salah, who sustained minor injuries while covering the violence near the town of Al-Qasr, located along the border, Caliber.Az reports, citing Arab media.

The clashes, which began with an attack on a Syrian army position by Hezbollah, saw the Syrian forces targeted by a guided missile. The missile strike led to the death of one soldier and left several others injured, according to military sources. In response to these developments, the Lebanese army confirmed that its units have been engaging with the sources of fire from Syria since dawn. A Lebanese army source stated, "Our forces have been responding in kind to the fire coming from Syria, with orders to counter any aggression."

مشاهد حصلت عليها #العربية للحظة استهداف الجيش السوري مواقع لـ"حزب الله" بعشرات الصواريخ بالقرب من الحدود السورية اللبنانية بريف #حمص pic.twitter.com/rcodfRjq04

— العربية (@AlArabiya) March 17, 2025

In a separate incident, sources from Al Arabiya and Al Hadath reported the death of two Syrian army personnel who were killed by a Hezbollah missile near the Zeita area in Homs province, which is situated near the border.

The situation along the border has been steadily deteriorating, with Syria deploying additional reinforcements in response to the growing threat from Hezbollah. The Syrian Ministry of Defense confirmed the full mobilization of Syrian forces along the border, with artillery units positioned in the Qusayr region continuing to strike Hezbollah positions in Lebanon's Hermel border area. This military activity follows the kidnapping and killing of three Syrian soldiers by Hezbollah fighters, which has further heightened the tensions.

For its part, Hezbollah has denied involvement in the border skirmishes, stating in a statement that it was not responsible for the incidents reported along the Lebanese-Syrian border or any operations taking place within Syrian territory.

The escalation comes as residents in eastern Lebanon began fleeing areas near the border, fearing the potential for further violence. Footage circulating online shows large groups of people moving away from towns such as Al-Qasr, seeking safety from the ongoing military activity.

In a humanitarian development, the Lebanese army, in coordination with the Lebanese Red Cross, delivered the bodies of the three slain Syrian soldiers to Syrian authorities. The bodies were handed over at the Jussi Al-Qaa crossing near Al-Qasr on Sunday afternoon.

By Khagan Isayev