The army commander, Rodolphe Haykal, during a tour in the Bekaa, in November 2025. (Credit: Lebanese Army)
BEKAA — Clashes broke out Sunday late afternoon between Lebanese soldiers and Syrian General Security agents at the Lebanese-Syrian border, in the locality of Moushrieh, located between the regions of Hermel and Qaa (Northern Bekaa).
The confrontations occurred during a pursuit of smugglers by the Lebanese Army. According to information from our correspondent in the region, the clashes lasted for about half an hour.
The army immediately blocked the smugglers' route with mounds of earth and deployed several units there.
Local TV channel al-Jadeed reported that the army had responded to gunfire coming from the Syrian side and that calm was subsequently restored. A military source contacted by L’Orient-Le Jour simply acknowledged that there was "an incident" in this locality and that the army intended "to open an investigation."
Smuggling operations are frequently reported along the border between Lebanon and Syria, which remains highly porous despite efforts made since the fall of the Assad regime to curb illegal trade.
Lebanese-Syrian discussions began in early September and are ongoing to resolve several disputes. Among the matters still under discussion are the delimitation of land and maritime borders, their control, and combating smuggling.
The issues of the return of Syrian refugees to their country, and especially the matter of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons, are also key points for a true normalization of relations.
Reporting by our regional correspondent, Sarah Abdallah.
