Lebanese Army retaliates against cross-border fire from Syria amid escalation
Shafaq News/ The Lebanese army said on Sunday it had responded to cross-border fire from Syria after Lebanese border areas came under shelling and gunfire, marking an escalation in tensions gripping the region for days.
"Under the directives of President Joseph Aoun, the army has ordered its units deployed along the northern and eastern borders to respond to the sources of fire originating from Syrian territory and targeting Lebanese lands," the military said in a statement on X.
The army added that its forces had "begun retaliating with appropriate weapons following recent clashes, during which several Lebanese areas were subjected to shelling and gunfire."
بناءً على توجيهات رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون، أصدرت قيادة الجيش الأوامر للوحدات العسكرية المنتشرة على الحدود الشمالية والشرقية بالرد على مصادر النيران التي تُطلَق من الأراضي السورية وتستهدف الأراضي اللبنانية. وقد باشرت هذه الوحدات بالرد بالأسلحة المناسبة، وذلك على خلفية… pic.twitter.com/8Ys9lDQmh0
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) February 8, 2025
The statement did not specify the source of the attacks, but Lebanon's official news agency reported earlier that towns in the northeastern border province of Hermel were hit by gunfire from the Syrian side on Saturday, injuring eight people who were taken to hospitals.
On Friday, Lebanon's presidency announced that Aoun had spoken with Syria's interim president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and that both leaders had "agreed to coordinate efforts to stabilize the Lebanese-Syrian border and prevent harm to civilians."
The escalation follows Syria's announcement of a security operation in the Homs countryside aimed at "shutting down smuggling routes for weapons and contraband." Syrian authorities said the campaign had led to "clashes between border security forces and wanted individuals."
Lebanon and Syria share a 375-km (233-mile) border, much of which remains undefined. The northeastern frontier, particularly the area between Lebanon's Hermel and Syria's Qusayr, has long been a flashpoint due to cross-border tribal ties and smuggling networks.
In recent months, Syrian authorities have tightened security along the border in an effort to curb smuggling and reassert control over villages with Lebanese populations. The crackdown has led to repeated clashes with local armed groups, with both sides trading blame for the escalating violence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Gaza ceasefire in doubt: Hamas finds proposal lacking
Shafaq News/ The United States remains uncertain whether Hamas will accept the ceasefire proposal brokered by US envoy Steve Witkoff, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce revealed on Thursday. At a press briefing attended by Shafaq News correspondent, Bruce noted that Hamas has yet to issue a formal response to the proposal. She also emphasized Washington's ongoing efforts to end the violence, ensure humanitarian access, and address what she described as an 'increasingly catastrophic crisis' in Gaza. Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Israel's approval of the initiative, stating that Israeli authorities had signed the plan before it was delivered to Hamas. The proposed framework outlines a two-month truce during which both sides would engage in negotiations aimed at securing a long-term ceasefire. Under the terms of the deal, Hamas would also release ten Israeli hostages and return the remains of eighteen others in two phases—five hostages and nine bodies at the start of the truce, and the same number on the seventh day. In exchange, Israel would release 125 Palestinians serving life sentences, along with 1,111 detainees arrested since October 7. The plan also includes the transfer of the remains of 180 Palestinians. Hamas has acknowledged receipt of the Witkoff proposal, confirming that its leadership is currently reviewing the offer. Additionally, the group underscored that any agreement must include tangible relief for civilians in Gaza and establish a pathway toward a lasting resolution to the conflict. However, according to Agence France-Presse, a Hamas official indicated that the US-backed proposal endorsed by Israel 'does not meet the movement's demands.' Notably, Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, at least 54,084 people have been killed in Gaza, according to figures released by the territory's health ministry.
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Exclusive: US links Iraq-KRG salaries to pipeline reopening
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the US State Department called on both Baghdad government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to fulfill constitutionally mandated financial obligations and settle their disputes through constructive dialogue. Responding to a Shafaq News inquiry about Baghdad's suspension of salary payments to the Kurdistan Region, a State Department official emphasized that resolving the dispute over salary payments would 'sends a signal that Iraq puts the interests of its people first' and help create an investment-friendly environment. 'It would also send a positive signal on possibilities for reopening the Iraq–Turkiye pipeline.' The US official reiterated that American support for the Kurdistan Region remains a 'crucial element' of Washington's relationship with Iraq, pointing out that Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently hosted KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Washington and also spoke with President Nechirvan Barzani, stressing the importance of continued cooperation to promote Iraq's stability and prosperity. Earlier, Iraq's Ministry of Finance suspended funding for May salaries, citing the KRG's alleged failure to adhere to budget allocations and deliver oil and non-oil revenues as agreed. Erbil rejected the accusations, arguing that Baghdad had failed to uphold its own financial commitments. The salary dispute coincides with Erbil's announcement of two major energy investment deals with US companies valued at over $110 billion. The agreements sparked criticism from Baghdad, which viewed them as a breach of federal authority.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq, GE Vernova advance plans for 24 GW power expansion
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraq and US-based GE Vernova discussed the construction of modern power plants across Iraq with a total capacity of 24,000 megawatts. According to a statement from the Ministry of Electricity's media office, Minister Ziad Fadel underscored the importance of the partnership, stressing the need to adhere to implementation timelines and uphold high technical and environmental standards throughout project execution. Both sides reviewed potential sites for the new plants, with emphasis on geographic distribution and regional consumption needs to ensure maximum utility and grid efficiency, the statement said. They also discussed plans to rehabilitate and expand the Al-Musayyib and Mansuriyah power stations—two critical nodes in Iraq's national grid. The upgrades are expected to enhance generation capacity and improve reliability. The talks also addressed long-term maintenance operations, which GE Vernova is currently conducting at several existing power stations. Comparable deals have been reached with Siemens Energy and France's TotalEnergies to boost power generation and curb emissions by capturing flared gas. Iraq has long depended on electricity and gas imports from Iran to meet demand, but those supplies have often been disrupted by US sanctions and regional instability—underscoring the need to strengthen domestic energy infrastructure.
