Violent Clashes bet. Syrian Rebels and Hezbollah Terrorists

 

Violent clashes erupted over the weekend between forces of the Syrian Ministry of Defense, which is controlled by the rebels, and Hezbollah terrorists. The clashes took place in the countryside west of Damascus, near the Syrian-Lebanese border, Channel 14 reported Sunday morning.

According to the report, Hezbollah terrorists, with the help of drug traffickers with whom they have been cooperating, attempted to establish new positions in Syria. In response, the Syrian Ministry of Defense sent military reinforcements to thwart their attempts.

It should be noted that until recently, Hezbollah operated unhindered inside Syria, but now the situation is changing. The rebels are trying to demonstrate control and governance in the field. However, developments remain unpredictable.

Arab affairs analyst Dr. Mordechai Keder suggested the Syrian government may take steps against Hezbollah within Syrian territory. According to him, the Syrian rebels who have been persecuted by Hezbollah thugs for a decade and a half are likely to quickly send forces into Lebanon to undermine the structure of the terrorist organization and damage the connection between its leaders and the troops on the ground.

Kedar noted that the Syrians possess detailed information about Hezbollah’s operations in Syrian villages such as Fua, Mada, and Sar, including the starvation of the local population in 2018–2019 and the clashes with ISIS. According to him, “Hezbollah has honestly earned the hatred of the Syrians.” However, he added that due to the severe economic crisis, there are those in Syria who are willing to cooperate with Hezbollah and assist in smuggling contraband goods.

Meanwhile, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the countryside of Manbij, a city in the northeast of Aleppo Governorate in northern Syria, 30 kilometers west of the Euphrates, is witnessing a major Turkish military escalation, during the past two days, as the Turkish forces intensified their land and air attacks using drones, targeting both military and civilian targets.

This escalation is part of a Turkish attempt to control the strategic Tishreen Dam and the Qara Kozak Bridge, amidst fears of the expansion of the scope of the operations and their impact on the humanitarian and security situation in the region. The number of fatalities in the ranks of the opposing fighting forces during the past two days has reached 101 soldiers.

The fighting has been ongoing since December when the pro-Turkish factions seized Manbij and Tal Rifaat. Since then, neither side has managed to claim any major victory against the other or capture any territory.

According to SOHR, 686 people were killed on January 4 across Syria.

by David Israel JP