Lebanese tribes and Syrian security forces clash

Syrian security forces and armed Lebanese tribesmen have clashed in the northeastern border region of Lebanon, resulting in at least two Lebanese deaths, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on February 7th.

Sources said the clashes involved Syrian security forces including the Operations Directorate and Syrian General Security as well as the Lebanese tribal members who own land in Al-Qusayr, part of the Syrian countryside. The clashes follow a failed tribal initiative which intended to obstruct the border to stop smuggling operations.

Syrian media said the fighters set out to root out armed men, wanted drug traffickers, smugglers and Hezbollah-affiliated individuals. As a result, remote villages Hawik, Blouza, Al-Fadiliyah, Akoum, and Juroud were targeted. Syrian forces regained control over 17 villages and farming settlements populated by Lebanese nationals.

While tensions at the border remain high, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that two members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) were released.

“The border security department managed to free two members kidnapped by a group of wanted people involved in smuggling weapons and contraband across the Syrian-Lebanese border,” SANA quoted the Homs media office as saying.

In return of the two men, HTS has agreed to release 16 women and children, according to Al-Mayadeen.

“With the start of the exchange process at the Josiah al-Qaa border crossing, women and children will be released in the town of al-Aqrabiyah,” the media channel reported.

On February 6th, a rocket landed within the outskirts of the Lebanese border town of Al-Qasr, which is in the Bekaa region. Lebanon’s national news agency reported that the incident was a result of continuous fighting in Hawik, Syria.

In response to the fighting, Lebanon has reinforced its presence along the border. Hermel tribes have also called on the Lebanon’s government and army to intervene.

Asharq Al-Awsat, SANA, Al-Mayadeen