Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham shells Lebanon's Hermel
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Shelling from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham positions in Syria’s Qusayr countryside hit Lebanon’s Hermel region, escalating border tensions.
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Illustrative: A general view of the city of Baalbek and the Roman ruins, eastern Lebanon, on Friday, November 29, 2024 (AP)
Tensions have flared along the Lebanese-Syrian border as shelling and clashes intensified between Lebanese clans and militants from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
One of Al Mayadeen correspondents reported that artillery positions belonging to HTS in Syria’s Qusayr countryside shelled areas on the outskirts of Hermel, Lebanon, on Sunday. Meanwhile, the National News Agency reported that two drones operated by Syrian militants were shot down over the border region of Jarmash.
In response to the escalating violence, the Lebanese Army issued a statement on Saturday evening, announcing that its leadership had instructed military units stationed along the northern and eastern borders to retaliate against any fire originating from Syrian territory. The order was given under the directives of Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
The statement confirmed that "army units have begun responding with appropriate weapons" following recent clashes, during which several Lebanese border areas were subjected to shelling and gunfire.
The hostilities have led to casualties on both sides. More than 10 people were injured after shelling from Syria’s Qusayr countryside targeted border towns in Lebanon’s Hermel region, an Al Mayadeen correspondent reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, three HTS militants were killed, and six others were injured in the ongoing confrontations with Lebanese clans along the border.
Shelling hits Lebanese border towns
According to reports, nearly 50 shells struck various towns in Hermel’s outskirts since morning, with one rocket landing near a Lebanese Army post in Wadi Fisan. The source of the fire was identified as Syria’s Qusayr region.
In response, clans from the Bekaa Valley destroyed a tank in the Syrian border town of Jarmash, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency. Activists also circulated footage showing the clans downing a drone belonging to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham over Hermel’s outskirts.
A day earlier, HTS militants launched an explosive-laden drone that detonated over Jarmash, while two rockets—also attributed to HTS—landed near the Lebanese town of al-Kawakh and its surrounding heights.
Amid rising tensions, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Syria’s transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa agreed in a phone call on Friday to coordinate efforts to stabilize the border and prevent attacks on civilians.
