Syria

Lebanon, Syria Agree to Cease-fire After Deadly Border Clashes

MAR 18 2025·Updated MAR 22 2025

Story

Above: A group of people and members of the current Syrian army, formerly Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), celebrate the anniversary of the start of the revolution in Damascus, Syria on March 15, 2025. Image credit: Ximena Borraz/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Facts

Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa and his Syrian counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra agreed to a cease-fire on Monday after deadly clashes erupted along the two countries' border. The fighting reportedly killed seven Lebanese and three Syrian soldiers. Over 50 people were also wounded.
Reuters
CNN
Aa
Clashes began over the weekend after Syria accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of kidnapping three soldiers and killing them. Lebanese Pres. Joseph Aoun then ordered the army on Monday to deploy to the border, saying that Lebanon "would not allow" the clashes to continue.
Al Jazeera
Aa
Syrian state media reported that the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation between their countries. Hezbollah denied involvement in the clashes, saying that it has "no connection to any events taking place within Syrian territory."
CNN
Aa
Lebanese security officials said that the three militants crossed into Lebanon and were killed by armed members of a tribe in the country's northeast, who feared their town was under attack. Syria then began to shell the Lebanese side of the border.
Almayadeen
Reuters
Hezbollah-affiliated media said that the Syrian army captured the border village of Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, with most of the fighting taking place near the Lebanese town of al-Qasr.
FOX News
Timesofisrael
The clashes come as Israeli strikes on Syria and Lebanon have continued. An Israeli strike on southern Syria killed two and wounded 19, while Israel also launched strikes on southern Lebanon.
Reuters
Al Jazeera

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Though Syria's new rulers are by no means saints, it is clear that Hezbollah is trying to take advantage of the new government's weakness. Hezbollah's losses during the recent war with Israel have been significantly compounded by the fall of the Assad regime, and now the group is in a corner. If Syria and the international community are not careful, it may work to destabilize Syria so that it could resurrect its supply line to Iran.

FOX News

Narrative B

The media are running interference for Syria's new jihadist rulers by blaming Hezbollah for the recent border clashes. Hezbollah has no interest in antagonizing Syria's new regime, even though its fighters occupied and ransacked Hosh al-Sayyad Ali, which is in Lebanese territory. Thankfully, for once, the Lebanese army has deployed to defend Lebanon's borders.

Almayadeen