This article was updated with new developments at 9:40 p.m. 

BEIRUT — Lebanese Army and military engineering units deployed at Hoch al-Sayyed Ali, in the Baalbeck-Hermel district, at the border with Syria, after the Syrian army withdrew from the area, reports our local correspondent.

Local sources indicated on Tuesday that the Syrian army had "occupied" the Lebanese part of this border village, following clashes that took place in recent days between members of Lebanese Shiite "clans" living in the area and forces of the new Syrian regime.

On Wednesday evening, Abdel Menhem Daher, the commander of the Syrian army's 52nd Division First Brigade, announced that coordination had been established between the Syrian army liaison officer and his Lebanese counterpart. According to the official Syrian news agency Sana, both armies agreed to withdraw from Hosh al-Sayyed Ali, ensuring that civilians could return without military presence inside the village.

The two armies would be positioned on the outskirts of the area. Daher also stated that "the Syrian army is committed to upholding the agreement and warns that any violation by Hezbollah will be met with a firm and direct response, without prior warning."

Sixty vehicles entered the Lebanese part of the town, and the army reinforced its presence by adding military checkpoints.

According to our correspondent's sources, Syrian soldiers set houses on fire during their withdrawal. The Civil Defense announced in a statement that "fire extinguishing operations in Hoch al-Sayyed Ali are continuing despite the challenges encountered on the ground," including "intensifying winds."

The Civil Defense team specified that "the fires that have so far ravaged around 30 houses and stores in the village of Hosh al-Sayyed Ali." The teams are fully mobilized, with the participation of 20 centers in the Baalbeck-Hermel regions."

As residents returned to their homes in Hoch al-Sayyed Ali, gunfire erupted from Syrian territory, triggering panic and forcing them to flee, according to our correspondent. In a video shared on social media, residents are seen chanting slogans against the Lebanese Army, calling them "traitors."

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'Calm and stability' along the border area with Syria

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is "monitoring developments" along the Lebanese-Syrian border, according to the Presidency's X account. In this context, he has been in contact with Army Commander-in-Chief Rodolphe Haykal, who has kept him updated on measures taken "to restore calm and stability in the area." Aoun, a former military commander, emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire agreement reached with Damascus on Monday evening. General Haykal also discussed the situation with Defense Minister Michel Menassa.

Additionally, the ministerial committee tasked with examining measures to control and monitor the borders met under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, according to the Grand Serial's account on X. The committee praised "the role played by the Lebanese Army in protecting citizens' security" and stressed the need to "strengthen the army's capabilities in terms of equipment and personnel" and to "intensify efforts against trafficking."

The committee also decided to instruct the Minister of Defense to "continue contacts with his Syrian counterpart to resolve the causes of the recent clashes and prevent their recurrence, by strengthening coordination and communication with the Syrian authorities."

Meanwhile, the mukhtars (local officials) of Hermel convened on Wednesday and condemned the "barbaric attacks" against localities in the district. In a statement, they called on the Lebanese President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and army command to "focus on this region and ensure the security of its localities."

They insisted on the need to "protect the borders through the Lebanese Army, which is solely responsible for defending these villages." The mukhtars described the village of Hosh al-Sayyed Ali as a "disaster area" due to severe destruction and called on the state to assess the losses and provide compensation to the victims.

At the funeral of Hezbollah members in Hermel, who's circumstances of death were not provided, MP Hussein Hajj Hassan addressed the recent clashes, reiterating that his party "was not involved." He emphasized that the responsibility for addressing and resolving these issues rests with the Lebanese state and its institutions."Hezbollah, as part of the state, has communicated with the relevant authorities to urge them to take responsibility," he said. "It is the state's duty to defend the Lebanese people and protect its sovereignty."

He also praised the Lebanese Army for its deployment in Hosh al-Sayyed Ali and commended the Lebanese President and Army Commander for their efforts.

The clashes along the Lebanon-Syria border erupted on Sunday afternoon following an incident. Two conflicting narratives emerged following the violence, which killed at least seven Lebanese and injured around 50 others, based on the Lebanese Health Ministry reports. The Lebanese side reported a "Syrian forces infiltration" into the Lebanese village of al-Qasr (Baalbeck-Hermel), which is inhabited by predominantly Shiite clans. On the other hand, Damascus claimed that Syrian soldiers were ambushed and "executed by Hezbollah." Hezbollah categorically denied any involvement in the clashes. The fighting escalated with the Syrian army heavily shelling the border villages of al-Qasr and Hosh al-Sayyid Ali, while the Lebanese Army retaliated with an unprecedented airstrike targeting Syrian artillery positions. 

On Monday evening, the Lebanese Foreign Minister spoke to his counterpart and agreed on a cease-fire.