Syrian Army Launches Offensive Against Hezbollah Amid Intensifying Tensions

The Syrian Army has launched a full-scale military operation against Hezbollah militants near Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in tensions with Tehran’s proxies. The operation aims to retake strategic areas and diminish Hezbollah’s control. Cooperation between Syrian and Lebanese forces has increased, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria is pursuing greater autonomy from Iranian influence, which could reshape the region’s power dynamics.

The Syrian Army has initiated a military operation targeting Hezbollah militants backed by the Iranian regime in strategic border areas near Lebanon. This action is a notable escalation in tensions between Damascus and Tehran’s proxies. Reports from outlets such as Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia confirm casualties on both sides, contributing to heightened security coordination between Syrian and Lebanese forces against Hezbollah.

Heavy clashes are taking place between Syrian military forces and Hezbollah fighters in Hosh Al-Sayyid Ali, a border town held by Hezbollah since 2013. According to Al Arabiya, the Syrian Army has commenced an extensive artillery and missile campaign aimed at dismantling Hezbollah positions. A Syrian defense ministry representative stated that the objective is to “completely retake the town” and secure the border from Hezbollah’s illicit activities, which include smuggling and arms trafficking.

Collaboration between the Syrian Army and Lebanese forces has intensified, with the Lebanese Army responding to attacks from Hezbollah. This cooperation signifies a shift, with tensions mounting even against previous allies. A military source from Lebanon remarked, “Our forces have been ordered to respond to any attacks from Syrian territory.”

Hezbollah’s countermeasures included rocket assaults on Syrian positions near Homs, leading to an escalated response from Syrian forces that prompted a retreat by Hezbollah from several contested areas. Significant casualties ensued, with reports indicating the deaths of at least 12 Hezbollah fighters and 8 Syrian soldiers during the ongoing conflict.

These skirmishes mark a critical evolution in Syria’s approach toward Iranian influence. Under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian administration is challenging Hezbollah’s longstanding control and asserting a push to “restore full control” over national borders against unauthorized operations from the militant group, thereby regaining sovereignty and limiting foreign interference.

Such developments threaten the Iranian regime’s regional objectives. A loss of Hezbollah’s footholds in Syria could obstruct Tehran’s ambition for an organized ‘Axis of Resistance’ against its adversaries. Additionally, military defeats for Hezbollah might empower opposition within Lebanon, potentially undermining Iranian authority in the region.

The situation elucidates the widening rifts within the Iran-led coalition, as Damascus increasingly prioritizes its national interests over Tehran’s expansionism. Under military pressure from both Syrian and Lebanese forces, Hezbollah is confronting mounting isolation, possibly indicating a decline in Iran’s previously unchallenged influence in Syria.

The military operation launched by the Syrian Army against Hezbollah signifies a pivotal shift in regional dynamics, as Syria asserts its sovereignty while actively challenging Iranian influence. The collaboration between Syrian and Lebanese forces indicates an effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s operations, reflecting a potential decline in Iran’s regional power. Moving forward, these developments could substantially impact the geopolitical landscape in Lebanon and Syria.

Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org