November 2, 2026
This morning, the Masnaa border crossing witnessed a blatant assault on official employees and members of customs and military agencies, in an incident described as an attempt to intimidate those in charge of enforcing the law and protecting the rights of the public treasury, stressing that objection to fees does not in any way justify attacks on those charged with their official duties.
In detail, a group of people from the town of Majdal Anjar attacked the office of the head of the Customs Administration at the crossing, after they refused to pay customs duties and fines owed on goods linked to smuggling activities. The problem developed when customs broker Rami Al-Majzoub attacked one of the customs inspectors responsible for supervising border goods.
The attack extended to military personnel present at the scene, creating a state of panic and fear among the ranks of the employees. In light of these developments, the Director of the Bekaa Region, Zaher Abi Ghanem, and the Chief of Police, Colonel Nidal Diab, moved to the site in the field to review the situation and contain its repercussions.
Field data reveal the recurrence of such problems on an almost weekly basis, and they are often linked to refusal to pay duties imposed on goods imported through Syrian territory, and attempts to smuggle them bypassing legal frameworks and state dues, at a time when customs officers continue to confront these violations despite the intimidation and pressure they are subjected to.
In light of these developments, workers at the crossing considered that harming official and military employees while performing their duties constitutes a blatant violation of the prestige of the state and the rights of citizens. They addressed an urgent appeal to the judiciary and security services to take immediate action, prosecute the aggressors and hold them accountable, in addition to providing the necessary protection for workers who are left exposed to attempts to forcefully disrupt the law.
