The Lebanese Army at a site previously held by Palestinian factions in the Bekaa, on December 21, 2024. (Credit: X/@LebarmyOfficial.)
BEKAA — A conflict broke out Saturday evening in the town of al-Qasr, in the Hermel region near the Lebanese-Syrian border, between the Zeaiter and Akidi clans, a rocket was fired and gunshots were heard, reports our correspondent in the Bekaa.
This incident caused unrest in the region during the night, but calm returned by morning. On Sunday afternoon, the Lebanese Army and intelligence services also carried out raids in the outskirts of al-Qasr and confiscated weapons and ammunition, our correspondent reports. Checkpoints were set up in the area to arrest those involved.
Such incidents are common between rival clans in the region. In February and March, clashes related to smuggling operations pitted Syrian security forces against Lebanese members of Shiite clans living near the border.
In a statement issued Sunday, the Lebanese Army denied social media reports claiming that armed men had entered Lebanon from Syria and that the army had withdrawn from border areas in the Bekaa Valley. "The relevant units continue to operate normally along the Lebanese-Syrian border while monitoring the internal security situation," the Army said.
Citing a security source, our correspondent also reported that claims about the withdrawal of British and French forces from watchtowers in the Bekaa, as well as the alleged pullback of the Lebanese Army to within the village of Tufail, are false. According to the correspondent, the army continues to operate normally in the Tilal al-Montar area, east of the border village of Tufail.
Reporting by our regional correspondent Sarah Abdallah.
