lebanon-syria border

Violent clashes broke out on Syrian territory in early February 2025 between the new Syrian security forces (formerly Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, HTS, fighters) and Lebanese Shiite ‘clans,’ often affiliated with Hezbollah but residing in Syria. A precarious calm has been restored since Feb. 9, following an intervention by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who contacted his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Sharaa, on Saturday, and the deployment of the Lebanese army along the border zone. Earlier this year, clashes also occurred between smugglers and the Lebanese Army at the border.