Description: Syrian and Lebanese army have announced the enhanced fighting on the border to be instigated by former offshoots of armed groups aligned with ousted Syrian President Bashar al – Assad. Syria had initially accused Hezbollah of kidnapping and murdering three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has denounced any connection with the armed fighting on the border and blamed Lebanese armed clans for instigating armed fighting between the two countries. The clashes signaled the growing tensions across the Syria – Lebanon border where Shiite Lebanese armed groups engaged in skirmishes with the new Sunni – led Syrian government forces. Both countries have agreed on a ceasefire after the seizure of violent engagements on the border.
Impact: Syria and Lebanon are currently both in a transitory period where governments of the two countries are consolidating power and securing territorial integrity from militant extremist armed groups. Both countries are facing severe domestic existential crises as Lebanon fights against the omnipresent Hezbollah while Syria harbors hundreds of extremist armed militants involved in regional power struggles for dominance. The Israeli army is also deeply involved in operations in both countries under the pretext of countering terrorism and securing its own borders which additionally amplifies the revolving security crisis in the Middle East. The widespread security crisis in the Middle East would most certainly expand as the theater is home to parceled terrorist groups which at any given moment could push towards enhanced armed fighting.