Lebanon Closes Down Illegal Crossings with Syria

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Closure of illegal border crossings with Syria.
- Lebanese army's operations in Housh al-Sayyid Ali.
- Deployment of special units to the Hermel area.
- Ceasefire agreement announced to reduce tensions.
- Seven fatalities and 52 injuries reported.
Beirut, March 20 (NationPress) Lebanon has taken action to close illegal border crossings with Syria located in the eastern and northern regions of the nation.
On Wednesday, the Lebanese army made its way into the border village of Housh al-Sayyid Ali following the withdrawal of Syrian factions from the vicinity, as reported by Xinhua news agency citing Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.
The army's Directorate of Guidance issued a statement indicating, "As part of the initiative to monitor and safeguard the borders amidst current conditions and to thwart infiltration and smuggling operations, the army has closed off illegal crossings. These encompass Matlaba in the Al-Qasr-Hermel area, along with Al-Fatha, Al Maarawiya, and Sheheit Al-Hajeri in the Mashari' Al-Qaa-Baalbek sector."
Furthermore, the Lebanese army declared via the social media platform X that it had dispatched reinforcements from its specialized units to the Hermel region adjacent to the Lebanese-Syrian border.
A military source from Lebanon informed Xinhua that army engineering units are actively working to clear Housh al-Sayyid Ali and its vicinity of debris from recent confrontations and other barriers.
Earlier on Monday, defense officials from both Syria and Lebanon announced a ceasefire agreement along their shared border to reduce tensions and prevent further conflicts in the border area.
As per the Public Health Emergency Operations Center in Lebanon, which is linked to the Health Ministry, the latest developments along the Lebanese-Syrian border have resulted in seven deaths and 52 injuries.
The Lebanese-Syrian border has historically been a significant area for extensive smuggling activities. Syria's General Security Forces have initiated extensive operations to combat smugglers and remnants of the previous regime in the western Homs countryside, aiming to secure the border between the two nations.