Intense fighting has broken out along the Syrian-Lebanese border between the Syrian military and forces aligned with Hezbollah.
This escalation follows accusations from Syria’s interim government that Hezbollah fighters entered Syrian territory, abducted three soldiers, and executed them in Lebanon. The Syrian army responded by launching artillery strikes on Hezbollah positions, targeting what it claims were “gatherings” of fighters responsible for the killings. Hezbollah denies any involvement.
Al-Akhbar, a Lebanese newspaper with ties to Hezbollah, reported that the Syrian army captured the village of Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali on the Syrian-Lebanon border during the clashes. Currently, much of the fighting is centered near the village of Al-Qasr.
Earlier reports from the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya indicated intermittent clashes between the Syrian army and Hezbollah forces along the border. The report also stated that a Hezbollah ammunition depot was destroyed by Syrian artillery fire.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed the escalating violence, stating his disapproval and instructing the Lebanese army to respond to the sources of fire.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that at least five additional Syrian soldiers were killed during the clashes. Civilians, including families with young children, have been seen fleeing toward the Syrian village of Hermel as the violence spreads.
The new Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa of the U.S.-sanctioned terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, issued a rare statement promising retaliation against Hezbollah.
The statement asserted that Hezbollah took the soldiers to Lebanese territory and killed them, and that the Ministry of Defense will respond accordingly.
The conflict highlights deeper sectarian and ideological divides between HTS, a Sunni terrorist group with former ties to al Qaeda, and Hezbollah, a Shiite terrorist force, who represent opposing sides in the ongoing struggle for regional power.
Javed Ali, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy and former senior director at the National Security Council, stated that Hezbollah is trying to exploit the new Syrian government’s weakness, while also facing its own challenges from Israeli strikes, the fall of Assad, and new adversaries in Syria.
The collapse of President Bashar Assad’s government in December was a major turning point, as Hezbollah had supported him for 14 years alongside Russia and . However, in late November, Syrian rebels launched an offensive against Assad’s forces, coinciding with a ceasefire announcement in northern Gaza, ultimately leading to the collapse of his rule.
Now in power, HTS has pledged to crack down on weapons and drug smuggling along the border, directly threatening . The new Syrian government has begun military deployments to secure its borders, further limiting Hezbollah’s movements.
Ali said that Hezbollah is facing unprecedented threats, and that HTS’s control in Syria has severely compromised Hezbollah’s overland weapons supply route from Iran, potentially degrading its operational capabilities.
The rise of HTS in Syria has also attracted U.S. attention. While the U.S. has designated HTS as a terrorist organization, analysts suggest that al-Sharaa’s pragmatic approach warrants careful consideration.
Ali noted that the U.S. is navigating a complex situation in Syria, and while it doesn’t officially recognize HTS, it has strategic interests in weakening Hezbollah and Iranian influence.
HTS has attempted to distance itself from its extremist past, presenting itself as a nationalist Islamist movement opposed to Iranian influence and Hezbollah’s expansion in Syria. Despite skepticism, the group’s control over key Syrian territory disrupts Iran’s ability to maintain a direct supply corridor to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Beyond Syria, Hezbollah is also facing increasing challenges in Lebanon, where recent losses have emboldened its domestic opponents to weaken its grip on Lebanese politics.
Former Lebanese President Michel Aoun echoed these concerns, highlighting ongoing Israeli attacks, Hezbollah’s involvement in cross-border violence, and the unresolved Syrian refugee crisis as major threats to Lebanon’s stability.
He urged officials to take immediate action to protect the nation and its citizens.
Adding to the complexity, Mounir Shehadeh, a former Lebanese government coordinator with the United Nations Interim Force, stated that Hezbollah has no presence in the northeastern Bekaa Valley, contradicting reports of its activity along the Lebanese-Syrian border and raising questions about its true control.
Analysts say the long-term implications are uncertain, but Hezbollah’s regional position is rapidly deteriorating, and while Lebanese and Syrian officials are working to contain the crisis, the risk of further escalation remains high.