Fierce clashes continue along the Lebanese-Syrian border between forces of the new Syrian administration and local tribal residents, prompting direct intervention from the Lebanese army following orders from President Joseph Aoun. The military has been instructed to counter cross-border fire as violence escalates in multiple border towns.

Rockets and Shelling Target Lebanese Territory

A rocket reportedly struck the outskirts of the Lebanese town of Al-Kouakh, while a shell landed inside Qanafez Public School, near the northern border of Hermel. Meanwhile, heavy fighting is ongoing in the town of Matraba, where armed members of Bekaa tribes are engaged in intense battles with militants from Syria’s Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The clashes involve heavy shelling, medium-range weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades.

Artillery and rocket exchanges have also intensified along the northern border of Hermel with Syria, further escalating tensions in the volatile region. The National News Agency reported that rockets fired from Syrian territory landed near the Lebanese towns of Al-Qasr and Sahlat Al-Maa. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

In a separate incident, two drones operated by Syrian militants were shot down in the border area of Jermash, while stray shells struck a home in the Lebanese village of Zakba, causing material damage.

Local Leaders Condemn Shelling of Lebanese Villages

Mukhtars (local leaders) of the Hermel district strongly condemned the continued bombardment of Lebanese border areas, stating that the shelling from Syrian territory had persisted for two days and was directly targeting villages and homes.

They called on the state and the Lebanese army to fulfill their duty in defending the country’s borders and protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents in affected areas.

Lebanese Army Responds to Cross-Border Attacks

The Lebanese army confirmed it had received direct orders to respond to the attacks. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Army Command said that under President Joseph Aoun’s directives, military units deployed along the northern and eastern borders had been instructed to target sources of fire originating from Syrian territory.

The statement added that Lebanese army units had "begun responding with appropriate weapons" following the latest escalation, which saw several Lebanese areas hit by shelling and gunfire from across the border.

Battle Over Smuggling Routes Escalates

The latest surge in violence appears to be part of an ongoing effort by the new Syrian administration to dismantle long-standing smuggling networks along the border. Armed clashes have intensified between smuggling groups and Syrian security forces seeking to shut down illicit trafficking routes for weapons and contraband.

Footage circulating on social media shows heavy exchanges of fire, with drone strikes reportedly launched by Lebanon’s "Hermel tribes" against fighters from HTS and groups linked to Hezbollah.

Conflict Over Strategic Border Towns

The clashes erupted on February 6 when fighters from HTS, operating under the banner of the "New Syrian Administration Forces," entered the Lebanese border town of Hawik in northeastern Hermel. Their advance followed an earlier battle in which they repelled a Hezbollah push in the Qusayr region inside Syria.

Fighting between HTS and Hezbollah-affiliated tribes led to the deaths of two HTS militants and the capture of two others. In response, Syrian forces dispatched reinforcements, raided the town, and arrested 15 individuals reportedly linked to Hezbollah.

As violence spread to the villages of Jermash and Qanafez, Syrian authorities and Lebanese tribal leaders brokered a prisoner exchange. The Hermel tribes released the two captured HTS members and handed over the body of a slain fighter. In return, HTS freed 16 women and children from a nearby village.

A Conflict Rooted in Regime Change

Sources familiar with the situation told the Central News Agency that tensions have been rising since December 8, 2024, when the Assad regime fell. The new Syrian administration launched a campaign to "cleanse" border areas—including Lebanese villages inside Syrian territory—of drug traffickers and armed smugglers. The objective, according to sources, is to establish a demilitarized zone after years of unchecked illicit trade.

For years, Hezbollah-affiliated tribes have used these areas as strategic corridors for smuggling arms and captagon, setting up drug manufacturing hubs and weapons depots that served as key supply routes between Lebanon and Syria.

The precise cause of the latest clashes remains disputed. Syrian sources describe the security operation as a crackdown on armed smugglers and wanted individuals involved in cross-border trafficking.

Lebanese authorities have provided limited details, stating only that "clashes have erupted between Syrian security forces and armed Lebanese tribesmen in the border region, resulting in casualties and injuries."

Speculation has also emerged over the fate of Nouh Zeaiter, a notorious Lebanese drug trafficker. Some reports suggest he was killed in the fighting, while sources close to his family deny these claims, stating there is no confirmed evidence of his death.

Stretching over 330 kilometers, the Lebanese-Syrian border remains largely unmarked, making it a hub for illicit trade. The new Syrian administration’s push to assert control over these regions is seen as an effort to curb smuggling and reinforce security.

Analysts suggest that the escalation could be a strategic move by the Syrian government to extract political and economic concessions from Lebanon. The crackdown on smuggling is viewed as part of a broader strategy to consolidate power after the leadership transition in Damascus. By tightening its grip on border trade, the administration aims to improve its international standing and negotiate with regional powers over diplomatic and economic agreements.

At the same time, the Syrian crackdown could put additional strain on Lebanon’s struggling economy. Informal trade with Syria has long been a lifeline for Lebanon, particularly amid its ongoing financial crisis. Observers warn that Damascus may use the border instability as a bargaining tool in negotiations with Beirut on issues such as the repatriation of Syrian refugees, the reopening of diplomatic channels, or efforts to normalize relations with Gulf states and Western nations.

Some regional analysts believe the clashes—and the Syrian administration’s stated objectives—may be part of a broader geopolitical message directed at international and regional actors, including Iran, Russia, and Gulf states. The message, they argue, is that Syria’s new leadership is reshaping the country’s internal power dynamics and pursuing policies that diverge from those of the former regime.

The Need for a Coordinated Security Approach

Containing smuggling networks along the Lebanese-Syrian border requires more than just military action. Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive strategy involving security coordination, political dialogue, and economic reforms.

Proposals for joint monitoring posts, enhanced intelligence-sharing, and stricter border controls have been discussed as potential solutions. Without such measures, analysts warn that the border clashes could escalate into a prolonged security crisis with far-reaching consequences for both Lebanon and Syria.