An Israeli report revealed notable military developments along the Lebanese-Syrian border, which may herald a new phase of tension in the region, amid fears of a possible incursion of Syrian army forces into Lebanese territory, and the resulting direct confrontation with Hezbollah.
According to what was reported by “Israeli Channel 12”, elements affiliated with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad Al-Julani, began during the past two days to remove mines that had previously been planted by Syrian forces on border points between Syria and Lebanon, specifically in the Wadi Khaled region and the northern Bekaa.
The report states that the mine clearance process is taking place quietly, and it is believed that it comes as part of possible preparations for the entry of Syrian forces into Lebanese territory. According to available information, these forces that may be deployed in these areas include units of foreign fighters fighting in the ranks of the Syrian army.
The report explains that the aim of this step may be to pressure Hezbollah from another front, by occupying it militarily in northern and eastern Lebanon, while it faces Israeli military pressure on the southern front.
These developments raise concern among Hezbollah about the possibility of facing what the report described as a “pincer movement” between the Israeli forces on the one hand, and the Syrian forces on the other hand, even if there is no direct coordination between the two parties. The report believes that the Syrian leadership may see the current situation as an opportunity to take revenge on Hezbollah, which Damascus accuses of interfering in the Syrian war and supporting the former regime during the years of conflict, a war that left hundreds of thousands of Syrian victims.
In response to these movements, according to the report, Hezbollah began strengthening its military presence in the eastern Bekaa region, in preparation for the possibility of Syrian forces entering Lebanon or the outbreak of confrontations along the common border.
The report indicates that the recent tension on the border escalated after Hezbollah members opened fire towards the Syrian border, which contributed to raising the level of alert in the region.
The report concludes that the removal of mines along parts of the border represents a clear indication of field preparations that may pave the way for a Syrian military movement inside Lebanese territory, a scenario that raises increasing concern among the concerned parties, as it may have wider regional repercussions in light of the ongoing military escalation in the region.
