A cautious calm settled over the Lebanese-Syrian border on Monday after tensions flared from two developments - an Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah sites Sunday night and ongoing clashes since Thursday between Syrian forces and Lebanese tribes.
Syria said the operation aimed to curb arms and drug smuggling.
The calm came as Syrian and Lebanese forces moved to secure the border. The Lebanese army, which had ordered units to return fire from Syria, deployed along the frontier, reinforced key areas, and focused on illegal crossings. Tribal fighters were seen retreating into Lebanon.
The National News Agency reported on Monday that the Lebanese army had completed its deployment along the northern border near Hermel after tribal fighters withdrew into Lebanese territory, where Syrian forces are stationed.
Syria’s “Operations Room for Deterring Aggression” reported that large military reinforcements had arrived at the Syrian-Lebanese border, tightening security to prevent arms and drug smuggling and track individuals wanted by Damascus.
Lebanese military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that most Lebanese had left villages inside Syria, while Syrian forces moved between positions, except for a few fixed points. They confirmed the Lebanese army was fully prepared, had secured key locations, and that Syria was working to form a border guard unit.
Field sources said the Lebanese army had deployed in Safawi and Qanafez, areas home to the Jaafar tribe, while tribal fighters withdrew behind the Lebanese army, giving it control of most disputed areas.
In a statement, the Jaafar tribe reaffirmed ties between Lebanese and Syrians, saying they had pulled back their men but were met with heavy fire.
“We stand with the state but will not compromise our dignity. We call on the army to take full control,” it said.
A Syrian military delegation inspected the Lebanese-Syrian border on Monday without crossing into Lebanese territory, according to videos shared by Syrian media showing Colonel Haitham Al-Ali, commander of the 103rd Brigade, touring the area.
“We launched a military operation to secure the border and stop arms and drug smuggling,” Al-Ali said, adding that most of the frontier was now under control.
He accused criminal networks linked to the former Syrian regime, in coordination with Hezbollah, of previously facilitating smuggling.
“We have contacted the Lebanese side and asked them to tighten border security. We will do the same on our end,” he said.
On its part, the Lebanese army said its forces raided the homes of wanted individuals in the towns of Al-Qasr in Hermel and Asfourieh in Akkar, as part of ongoing security operations inside Lebanon.
Backed by military intelligence patrols, the raids uncovered a large cache of rockets, hand grenades, weapons, and ammunition.
