Lebanese army foils illegal entrance of armed men from Syria

(MENAFN) The Lebanese military announced on Sunday that it had prevented an attempted infiltration by armed groups coming from Syria into eastern Lebanon, according to reports.

The incident unfolded before midday near the villages of Kfar Zabad and Qousaya in the Baalbek region. After being confronted by Lebanese forces, the gunmen withdrew back across the border. The army has since strengthened its positions along the frontier to deter further incidents.

In a separate statement, the army dismissed claims that its aircraft had entered Syrian airspace while tracking armed groups. It emphasized that troops were monitoring the border in coordination with Syrian authorities and called on media outlets to rely exclusively on official announcements.

The military also reported a crackdown on fuel smuggling in Baalbek’s Masharii al-Qaa area, where three individuals were arrested and illegal fuel stations dismantled. Large amounts of gasoline, diesel, and related equipment were seized during the operation.

Lebanon has stepped up border security along its 375-kilometer boundary with Syria, deploying additional patrols, border guard units, and aerial surveillance to cover mountain routes and informal crossings.

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