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The Lebanese National Information Agency said that the Lebanese and Syrian defense ministers agreed to a ceasefire between the two sides after clashes over two days that resulted in the death and injury of dozens.
The Syrian News Agency (SANA) quoted the media office of the Syrian Ministry of Defense as saying that the agreement also provides for enhancing coordination and cooperation between the two sides.
In Lebanon, the Lebanese National Information Agency said that Defense Minister Michel Mansi discussed in contact with his Syrian counterpart, Muhsaf Abu Qasra, developments on the border.
She added that it was agreed to “a ceasefire between the two sides, provided that communication between the Intelligence Directorate in the Lebanese Army and the Syrian Intelligence continues to prevent the deterioration of the situation on the border between the two countries.”
Dozens of dead
The clashes on the Lebanese border claimed the lives of ten of the Syrian Ministry of Defense forces during the past twenty -four, according to Syrian media, while the Lebanese Ministry of Health said that seven Lebanese have died and 52 were wounded during the past two days.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced earlier that seven people were killed by violence on the eastern borders of Lebanon with Syria.
The ministry said in a statement that “the outcome of the developments of the last two days on the Lebanese -Syrian border led to the death of seven citizens and the injury of 52 others,” adding that among the dead is a 15 -year -old boy.
In turn, the Syrian News Agency (SANA) quoted the army as saying that he had “controlled the border village of Hosh Al -Sayed” after the expulsion of the (Hezbollah) (Hezbollah) fighters).
Aoun: Responding to the fire
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced, earlier today, that it had issued orders to the army to respond to the fire sources in the eastern and northeastern borders, in a sign of the border with Syria.
Aoun said on the “X” platform: “What is happening on the eastern and northeastern borders cannot continue and will not accept it.”
Aoun added that he contacted the Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, who is in Brussels, and asked him to communicate with the Syrian delegation participating in the Syria Support Conference, “to work to address the existing problem as soon as possible, in a way that guarantees the sovereignty of the two countries and prevents the deterioration of the situation.”
Later, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry said that Raji discussed with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al -Shaibani during a meeting in Brussels today, developments on the Lebanese -Syrian border, and agreed to cooperate to prevent the deterioration of the situation. She added, in a statement, that “it was agreed to follow up on contacts.”
According to Reuters news agency, the Syrian forces exchanged fire with Lebanese soldiers and armed groups in northeastern Lebanon last night, and in the early hours of this morning (Monday), as part of a new episode of clashes on the border between the two countries.
Tension has escalated on the mountainous border since the overthrow of opposition factions months ago with Syrian President Bashar al -Assad, the ally of Tehran and the Lebanese armed “Hezbollah” group supported by Iran.
On Sunday evening, the Syrian Ministry of Defense accused elements of the Hezbollah group of entering Syrian territory, kidnapping and killing 3 members of the new Syrian army.
Hezbollah denied involvement. A Lebanese security source told Reuters that the three Syrian soldiers were the ones who crossed the Lebanese territories first, and were killed by militants from a clan in northeastern Lebanon who were afraid of their town being attacked.
According to the Syrian Defense Ministry and the Lebanese army, the Syrian forces bombed Lebanese border towns at night in response to their killing. Residents of the town of Al -Qasr, less than one kilometer from the border, told Reuters, that they had fled away from the border areas to escape the bombing.
The Lebanese army said in a statement on Monday, that it handed over the bodies of the three Syrians to the Syrian authorities, and that the military units responded to the shooting of Syrian territory, “and” strengthened their spread and controlled the security situation. “
A Reuters correspondent on the border said that the Syrian army sent a convoy of soldiers and several tanks to the border, on Monday. The Syrian forces opened fire in the air while passing through the towns on their way to the border.
Maher Al -Zayani, a Syrian army division commander deployed on the border, said that “major military reinforcements have reached the support of sites on the Syrian -Lebanese border, and prevent any violations in the coming days,” said Maher Al -Zyani, a Syrian army division commander deploying on the border.
