The Al-Haj Hassan clan stated in a strongly worded statement: “This crime is not the first in the context of assaults carried out by Syrian gunmen on a peaceful Lebanese town, despite the presence of the Lebanese army within it and without protecting its citizens,” according to Lebanese media reports.
The statement, issued after an extensive clan meeting on Sunday, emphasized that “the situation has reached a dangerous level, and the people of the area, who have long relied on wisdom and the state, are no longer able to endure more procrastination and neglect.”
While condemning “the criminal acts committed by Syrian gunmen without deterrence,” the statement held “the official Syrian side responsible for these criminal acts.” It also denounced “the continued inaction of the Lebanese government, which seems incapable of defending its people,” affirming “the rejection of attempts to link security events with smuggling,” and calling for “serious border control.”
The Lebanese-Syrian border is experiencing security tension amid reports of mutual military alert and fears of attempts by militant gunmen inside Syria to kidnap Lebanese army personnel to exchange them for prisoners in Lebanon.
The Syrian-Lebanese border witnessed tensions last March after the ministry announced the killing and wounding of several of its members following an ambush, which it said was “executed by gunmen affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah.” Clashes then erupted between the Syrian and Lebanese armies and lasted for several days until the defense ministries of both countries announced reaching an agreement to cease hostilities.
In the same month, Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting, during which an agreement was signed affirming the importance of demarcating the borders between the two countries.
