The Syrian Army has launched a military operation against Hezbollah along the Lebanon border, escalating tensions with Iran. Heavy clashes have been reported, with casualties on both sides. Syrian forces aim to reassert control over national borders and limit Hezbollah’s activities, marking a significant shift in Syria’s policy towards Iranian influence under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Syrian Army has initiated a comprehensive military operation aimed at ousting Iranian regime-backed Hezbollah militants from critical border areas adjacent to Lebanon. This escalation highlights growing tensions between the Syrian government and Tehran’s affiliates. Multiple sources, including Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia, report clashes resulting in casualties on both sides and reinforcing security coordination between Syria and Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Heavy confrontations have erupted between Syrian forces and Hezbollah fighters in Hosh Al-Sayyid Ali, a town under Hezbollah control since 2013. The Syrian Army has launched a sustained campaign of artillery and missile strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in the area. According to an official from the Syrian defense ministry, Damascus’s objective is to “completely retake the town” and secure the border against Hezbollah’s illicit activities, such as smuggling and arms trafficking.
Collaboration between the Syrian Army and Lebanese forces has intensified, as they work together to secure the border. The Lebanese Army has been responding to Hezbollah’s provocations, which have created tension among former allies. A Lebanese military source indicated, “Our forces have been ordered to respond to any attacks from Syrian territory.”
Hezbollah militants have attempted to retaliate against Syrian forces, launching rocket attacks on Syrian Army positions near Homs. In response, Syrian forces intensified their offensive, leading to Hezbollah’s withdrawal from multiple locations. Reports from Sky News Arabia indicate that the ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 12 Hezbollah fighters and 8 Syrian soldiers reported killed.
The clashes along the Lebanon-Syria border signal a notable change in Syria’s approach towards Iranian influence. Under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian administration is actively working to combat Iranian dominance, emphasizing the objective to “restore full control” over borders and curtail unauthorized Hezbollah operations. This shift suggests a movement towards reasserting national sovereignty and reducing external influences.
The Iranian regime’s ambitions are directly challenged by Hezbollah’s potential loss of strategic positions in Syria, which would complicate Tehran’s efforts to uphold its ‘Axis of Resistance’ against adversaries. Setbacks for Hezbollah could energize opposition within Lebanon and thereby diminish Iran’s influence. This evolving situation highlights the fractures within the Iran-affiliated alliance, as Damascus increasingly prioritizes its national interests over Tehran’s expansionist agenda.
In summary, the Syrian Army’s offensive against Hezbollah along the Lebanon border marks a critical turning point in the dynamics of Iranian influence in Syria. The ongoing military actions signify a definitive stance by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to reclaim sovereignty and limit Hezbollah’s operations. This development not only threatens Iran’s strategic foothold in the region but also may embolden resistance within Lebanon, potentially reshaping the landscape of Iranian dominance in the area.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
