Lebanon army returns fire coming from Syria

BEIRUT: The Lebanese army said it had responded to incoming fire from across the Syrian border on Saturday, two days after the new authorities in Damascus said they had launched operations against smugglers in the area.

Following directives from President Joseph Aoun, “the army command issued orders to military units deployed on the northern and eastern borders to respond to the sources of fire launched from Syrian territory,” it said.

“These units have begun responding with appropriate weapons, in light of recent clashes.”

The army did not name those responsible for firing towards Lebanon.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency had earlier reported Syrian fire at the northeastern Hermel border region, injuring eight. On Friday, Aoun called interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and discussed “controlling the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border and preventing the targeting of civilians”.