As the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States intensifies, the Syrian military has increased its presence on the Syria-Lebanon and Iraq borders in an effort to control the border as the conflict escalates.
The Syrian Army Operations Directorate reported in a statement on Wednesday that the military has stepped up its deployment along Syria’s borders with Lebanon and Iraq.
Operational officials confirmed that the reinforcements are coming to protect and control the border due to the escalation of the ongoing regional war. He explained that the troops being deployed are part of the Border Guard and Reconnaissance Brigade and are monitoring border activities and combating smuggling.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Land and Sea Ports Directorate announced the closure of the Judeid-Yarbous border crossing with Lebanon to departing migrants after receiving a warning from Israel indicating that Israeli forces may be targeting the border.
Media personnel at the Jadeide Yabous crossing announced that the crossing will continue to receive arrivals as long as the influx of Syrians from Lebanon continues.
The Syria-Lebanon border is undergoing a mass exodus of estimated thousands of Syrians and Lebanese fleeing towards border crossings in Rif-Damascus, Homs and Tartus governorates to escape Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanese territory.
Hezbollah fired a missile at Israel a few days ago amid public and official condemnation of Lebanon for embroiling the country in a new war in which it is not involved.
Israel countered the party’s launches with dozens of missiles and drones, and violently raided southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
As some 30,000 Lebanese flee the south and suburbs, according to preliminary United Nations estimates, the Lebanese government announced its decision to ban the party’s military and security operations.
