Clouds of smoke behind the Jisr Qmar border crossing in Wadi Khaled in northern Lebanon on Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo obtained by L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent Michel Hallak)
The Lebanese army announced on Sunday that it had "reinforced" its control measures along the border between Lebanon and Syria, after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government and the capture of Damascus by the rebels. The border was also reopened at several points by the Lebanese army.
General Security told L'Orient-Le Jour that it reopened the Qaa and Masnaa border crossings to “facilitate the return of Syrians to their homes,” following the announcement of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime after twelve days of rebel offensive.
“General Security has totally facilitated the return of Syrians. All they have to do is arrive at the border post and express their desire to return to Syria. Because that's what matters most to us,” stated the source. Hundreds of people were also at the Masnaa border post since the night, to return to the country, while others were still hesitant, according to L'Orient-Le Jour's reporter in the field.
Illegal passage to Syria opened
The source at the General Security also said that the Lebanese army also opened the "illegal" border crossing of Zamarani (between Arsal and the Syrian Qalamoun).
In a brief statement, the army said it had strengthened its "units responsible for monitoring the northern and eastern borders" and its control measures in the area. "At the same time, the units deployed throughout the Lebanese territory are implementing exceptional measures to preserve security and protect civil peace," the troops added, saying that its command "is closely monitoring the situation on the borders and inside the country to prevent any threat to civil peace."
Several border crossings were once again bombed during the night by the Israeli army since the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel came into force on Nov. 27, while the main border was closed during the night at Masnaa due to the rebel advance on Homs and Damascus during the night. The border crossing of Qaa-Jousseh, that of Qasr in Hermel and Abboudieh-Dabboussieh were bombed during the night. At the Qmar bridge, in the Wadi Khaled region in the north, the customs and security installations were set on fire on the Syrian side, according to L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent.
Evacuations
Local media had reported shortly before that the Syrian army and security forces had evacuated the Syrian side of the Masnaa border crossing. Border personnel in Syria had also evacuated the northern crossings, taking with them equipment and documents.
The Lebanese Civil Defense announced that it transported people injured by gunfire in Masnaa to hospitals in the Bekaa, although the circumstances were not yet very clear. This border crossing had been closed to traffic since Saturday evening.
The Syrian rebels had announced the night before that they had taken Homs, a large strategic city in central Syria, then a few hours later the capital Damascus and declared that the Assad government had fallen.