Lebanon and Syria agreed to a ceasefire late Monday after Syrian forces clashed with Lebanese military on their shared border. The clashes erupted overnight, sparking concerns about the region’s stability.
The agreement was reached in a phone call between Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa and his Syrian counterpart, Murhaf Abu Qasra. The two sides will continue to communicate through military intelligence agencies to prevent further deterioration and protect innocent civilians.
Tensions along the border have been simmering since Syria’s new government took power, as it seeks to crack down on Iran’s influence in the region. Hezbollah militants, who rely heavily on smuggling routes in the area, have also become a flashpoint for violence.
According to Lebanese officials, three people were killed in the clashes, but their identities and the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear. The bodies were returned to Syria through the Red Cross.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has denounced the violence as “unacceptable” and called for action against those responsible. The ceasefire comes after a wave of deadly sectarian violence along Syria’s coast earlier this month, which has raised concerns about stability in the region.
The border dispute highlights the ongoing challenges facing Lebanon and Syria, with both countries seeking to assert their sovereignty and protect their citizens.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/17/syria-lebanon-hezbollah-attacks