2012–2017 Lebanon–Syria border clashes

Series of clashes on the Lebanon–Syria border Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian Civil War Lebanese–Syrian border clashes the Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon 1 June 2012 – 28 August 2017(2012 06 1 08 28 2017) Lebanon–Syria border Lebanese/Syrian government victory Lebanese and Syrian governments fully recapture the Lebanon–Syria borderhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-syria-idUSKCN1B80PR?il=0 Islamic State prepares to evacuate Syria-Lebanon border zone Reuters 28 August 2017 Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Free Syrian ArmyFSA 'Arsal Commander' Shot Dead in Town's Square http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/187423 14 August 2015 Naharnet Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Saraya Ahl al-Shamhttp://syriadirect.org/news/last-rebel-faction-leaves-mountains-on-syrian-lebanese-border-alongside-displaced/ Last rebel faction leaves mountains on Syrian-Lebanese border alongside displaced Syria Direct 14 August 2017 Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg Al-Nusra FrontNusra a Islamic State (2013–17) 313 Brigade (Syria)https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/07/313_brigade_claims_c.php Timeline of blasts in Lebanon The Long War Journal 2022-12-04http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/823133/un-groupuscule-syrien-peu-connu-revendique-lattentat-de-bir-el-abed-a-beyrouth.html Un groupuscule syrien peu connu revendique l'attentat de Bir el-Abed à Beyrouth L'Orient-Le Jour 2022-12-04 Jaysh Al Islam white flag.svg Jaysh al-Islamhttp://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/02/jaysh-al-islam-qalamoun-syria-arsal-lebanon.html Al-Monitor Jaish al-Islam confronts Islamic State in Arsal 5 February 2015 Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Ahrar al-Sham Flag of Jihad.svg Al-Qaeda and allies: InfoboxHTS.svg Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (2017)https://www.stimson.org/content/preventing-forced-return-lebanon-and-greater-levant Preventing Forced Return in Lebanon and the Greater Levant The Stimson Center Jesse Marks 10 August 2017Syria Islamist factions, including former al Qaeda branch, join forces - statement http://news.trust.org/item/20170128161652-xes7v/ 1 February 2017 Thomson Reuters Foundation 28 January 2017 2 February 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202124825/http://news.trust.org/item/20170128161652-xes7v/ dead Flag of Fatah al-Islam.png Fatah al-Islam (until 2014)http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/09/lebanon-ain-hilweh-camp-palestinian-refugees-tension-clashes.html# Al-Monitor Adnan Abu Amer Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon becomes battlefield for Fatah-Islamist conflict 4 September 2015 Ghuraba al-Sham (until 2013) Jund al-Sham (until 2014)http://www.ibtimes.com/palestinian-fatah-leader-killed-lebanon-refugee-camp-bomb-2352547 Palestinian Fatah Leader Killed In Lebanon Refugee Camp Bomb 12 April 2016 International Business Times Masi Alessandria Abdullah Azzam Brigadeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/world/middleeast/05iht-m05-lebanon-camp.html?_r=0 New York Times Syria War Triggers Rifts in Palestinian Camps in Lebanon 4 April 2012 Josh Woodhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/lebanon-arrests-top-al-qaeda-linked-fighter-201421212285696407.html Lebanon arrests top al-Qaeda linked fighter Al-Jazeera 12 February 2014 Osbat al-Ansarhttp://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/06/palestinian-refugee-camps-lebanon-hamas-tension.html# Hamas working to lower tensions in Lebanese camps 15 June 2015 Adnan Abu Amer Al-Monitor Osbat al-Nour Sunni Resistance Committeeshttps://news.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-News/sunni-resistance-committees-in-lebanon-releases-video-on-arsal-attack.html "Sunni Resistance Committees in Lebanon" Releases Video on Arsal Attack 16 October 2015 SITE Intelligence Group Lebanon Flag of the Lebanese Armed Forces (Front).svg Lebanese Armed Forces Internal Security Forces Ba'athist Syria Syria Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg Syrian Armed Forces Lebanon Michel Sleiman (2012–14) Lebanon Tammam Salam (2014–16) Lebanon Jean Kahwaji (2012–17) Nusra a The al-Nusra Front closely cooperated with ISIL between 2013 and 2014, were considered "frenemies" in 2015,http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/06/this-lebanese-village-is-under-attack-by-isis.html ISIS Is Trying to Take Over Lebanon. This Christian Village Is on the Front Lines New York Sulome Anderson 21 June 2015 and became embroiled in open conflict with it in 2017. The Lebanese–Syrian border clashes were a series of clashes on the Lebanon–Syria border caused by the Syrian Civil War. Timeline 2012 At the beginning of the summer 2012, two Hezbollah fighters were killed in a clash with Syrian rebels who were on Lebanese territory.http://www.northjersey.com/news/international/171434781_Hezbollah_Increases_Support_for_Syrian_Regime__U_S__and_Lebanese_Officials_Say__Beirut_.html?c=y&page=1 Hezbollah Increases Support for Syrian Regime, U.S. and Lebanese Officials Say (Beirut) Northjersey.com 2012-09-26 2012-12-25 On 17 September, Syrian Ground-attack aircraft fired three missiles 500 m ft over the border into Lebanese territory near Arsal. It was suggested that the jets were chasing rebels in the vicinity. The attack prompted Lebanese president Michel Sleiman to launch an investigation, whilst not publicly blaming Syria for the incident.https://www.foxnews.com/world/syrian-jets-hit-lebanese-territory-near-border/#ixzz27JvfB9lg FOX News, Syrian jets hit Lebanese territory near border, 18 September 2012 Foxnews.com 2012-09-18 2012-12-25 On 22 September, a group of armed members of the Free Syrian Army attacked a border post near Arsal. This was reported to be the second incursion within a week. The group were chased off into the hills by the Lebanese Army, who detained and later released some rebels due to pressure from dignified locals. Michel Sleiman praised the actions taken by the military as maintaining Lebanon's position being "neutral from the conflicts of others". He called on border residents to "stand beside their army and assist its members." Syria has repeatedly called for an intensified crackdown on rebels that it claims are hiding in Lebanese border towns.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Sep-23/188927-lebanese-president-praises-army-response-to-fsa-attack.ashx#ixzz27JxWSuyo (Lebanon), Lebanese president praises Army response to FSA attack, 23 September 2012 The Daily Star 2012-12-25 2020-02-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20200209185355/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Sep-23/188927-lebanese-president-praises-army-response-to-fsa-attack.ashx#ixzz27JxWSuyo dead http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2012/09/22/rebeldes-sirios-atacan-un-puesto-del-ejercito-en-territorio-de-libano/ Rebeldes sirios atacan un puesto del Ejército en territorio de Líbano, CNN Espanol, Alkhshali Hamdi, Amir Ahmed, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Ben Brumfield and Joe Sterling, 22 September 2012 Cnnespanol.cnn.com 2012-12-25 On 11 October 2012, four shells fired by the Syrian military hit Masharih al-Qaa, where previous shelling incidents have caused fatalities. Lebanon's position of ignoring the attacks and dissociating itself from the conflict remained unchanged. On 30 November 2012, between 14 and 20 Islamists from North Lebanon, as well a Palestinian, were killed in an ambush in Tall Kalakh near the Lebanese border. They had gone to Syria to fight alongside the Syrian rebels.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Nov-30/196719-two-lebanese-killed-several-wounded-near-syria-lebanon-border-sources.ashx#axzz2ED21yq00 20 Lebanese killed in Syria ambush The Daily Star 2012-12-24 2013 On 1 February 2013, two Lebanese soldiers were killed, along with 1-2 militants, and six were wounded in clashes near the Syrian border which started after an attempt by the military to arrest an anti-Assad rebel commander, who was also killed.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Feb-02/204737-arsal-ambush-kills-two-lebanese-soldiers-hunting-w.ashx Arsal ambush kills two Lebanese soldiers hunting wanted fugitive Dailystar.com.lb 2014-08-26Soldiers in Lebanon Die in Raid Near Syria (Published 2013) The New York Times https://web.archive.org/web/20221206001046/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/world/middleeast/syria-crisis.html?_r=0 2022-12-06 live https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/world/middleeast/syria-crisis.html?_r=0http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2013/Feb-01/204650-army-patrol-ambushed-in-east-lebanon-several-casua.ashx#axzz2JfNXn2Mh Four soldiers killed in east Lebanon ambush Dailystar.com.lb 2013-02-01 2014-08-26 Three Lebanese soldiers were killed in an attack on their checkpoint near the border town of Arsal by unknown militants who than fled over the border into Syria.Rocket and Gun Attacks Add to Fears That Syria’s Strife Is Reaching Lebanon (Published 2013) The New York Times https://web.archive.org/web/20210506194843/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/world/middleeast/syria.html?_r=0 2021-05-06 live https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/world/middleeast/syria.html?_r=0 In the night of 2 June 2013, heavy clashes between Syrian rebels and Hezbollah took place near the Lebanese town of Ain el-Jaouze, which is close to the border area between Lebanon and Syria. The rebels were either members of the radical Al-Nusra Front or of the Free Syrian Army. Hezbollah fighters attacked a rebel rocket team which was reportedly preparing to fire rockets into Shi'ite areas of the Lebanese Beqaa Valley. 14–17 rebels and one Hezbollah fighter were killed. The rebels said the attack was in retaliation for Hezbollah's support for the Syrian Army at the battle of al-Qusayr.Reuters https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Syrian-rebels-Hezbollah-in-deadly-fight-in-Lebanon-315158 Syrian rebels, Hezbollah in deadly fight in Lebanon Jpost.com 2014-08-26Evans Dominic https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE95105O20130602 Syrian rebels, Hezbollah in deadly fight in Lebanon: sources Reuters.com 2013-06-02 2014-08-26http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4387292,00.html Hezbollah, Syrian rebels clash on Lebanese soil Ynetnews.com 2014-08-26Morris Loveday https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-boosting-assads-forces-in-northern-syria/2013/06/02/3bb59c7e-cb9e-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html In Syria, Hezbollah forces appear ready to attack rebels in city of Aleppo Washingtonpost.com 2013-06-02 2014-08-26 On 6 June 2013, unknown gunmen attacked a Lebanese Army checkpoint in Arsal, near the border. In the ensuing gunfight two of the gunmen were killed. The Army captured a pick-up truck that contained weapons and ammunition. After examining the bodies, it was determined that at least one of the dead gunmen was a Syrian national. The nationality of the other dead man was not stated.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2013/Jun-06/219630-two-killed-in-clash-with-army-in-arsal.ashx#axzz2VSNQChda Two killed in clash with Army in Arsal Dailystar.com.lb 2013-06-06 2014-08-26 2017-10-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20171019165352/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Local-News/2013/Jun-06/219630-two-killed-in-clash-with-army-in-arsal.ashx#axzz2VSNQChda dead On 28 June 2013, a double roadside bomb detonated in Zahlé, Beqaa Governorate, the blasts targeted a Hezbollah convoy in Zahle on this day. There were no reported casualties and minimal damages resulting from the attack.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-hits-hezbollah-convoy-in-lebanon/2013/07/16/fc5a1ebe-ee30-11e2-bb32-725c8351a69e_story.html#:~:text=BEIRUT%20%E2%80%94%20An%20explosion%20struck%20a,in%20the%20Syrian%20civil%20war Bomb hits Hezbollah convoy in Lebanon The Washington Post 2022-12-04https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/bombs-hit-hezbollah-convoy-in-east-lebanon/ Lagos, Nigeria Bomb hits Hezbollah convoy in Lebanon 2022-12-04 Vanguard The 313 Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack.https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=201306280003 GTD ID:201306280003 Global Terrorism Database 2022-12-04https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=201306280004 GTD ID:201306280004 Global Terrorism Database 2022-12-04 Weeks later, in July 9th, an explosives-laden vehicle detonated at a supermarket parking lot in Dahiyeh, Haret Hreik, Beirut.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-timeline-idUSKCN2502JN Timeline of blasts in Lebanon Reuters 2022-12-04https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/7/9/car-bomb-rocks-shia-suburb-in-beirut Car bomb rocks Shia suburb in Beirut Al Jazeera 2022-12-04 The attack left 53 people wounded, and its claimed by the 313 Brigade claimed, stating the Hezbollah-controlled area was targeted for their support of Bashar al Assad in the Syrian Civil War.https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/07/313_brigade_claims_c.php Timeline of blasts in Lebanon The Long War Journal 2022-12-04http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/823133/un-groupuscule-syrien-peu-connu-revendique-lattentat-de-bir-el-abed-a-beyrouth.html Un groupuscule syrien peu connu revendique l'attentat de Bir el-Abed à Beyrouth L'Orient-Le Jour 2022-12-04 2014 Qalamoun offensive (2014) On June 14, 2014, the Syrian Army and Hezbollah fighters bombed the village of Tfeil in the Bekka valley causing much damage to people and property.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jun-14/260147-syrian-army-shells-bekaa-border-village.ashx#axzz34cfdwzkD Syrian army shells Bekaa border village | News, Lebanon News The Daily Star 2014-06-14 2014-08-26 On 14 July, Hezbollah fighters launched an attack on Syrian rebels holding out on the border with Lebanon between Qalamoun and Arsal, killing three rebels and wounding ten. The clashes left one fighter from Hezbollah dead and twelve others wounded.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-14/263753-hezbollah-battles-syria-rebels-four-dead.ashx#axzz3891zFLio Hezbollah battles Syria rebels, four dead | News, Lebanon News The Daily Star 2014-08-26 The fighting moved into Lebanon outside the town of Nahleh, with fighting killing an additional seven Hezbollah fighters and 32 rebels. On 16 July, Al Nusra Front ambushed Hezbollah fighters attempting to enter Al Qalamoun from Lebanon, leaving three of them dead. By this time, it was estimated that 26 Al Nusra Front fighters had been killed.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-hezbollah-idUSKBN0FM1OQ20140717 Hezbollah and al Qaeda clash on Syria-Lebanon frontier Reuters 2014-07-17 2014-08-26 Mariam Karouny On 17 July, fierce clashes broke out between Hezbollah fighters and Al Nusra Front fighters on the outskirts of the Lebanese town of Arsal and Al-Fakiha. Hezbollah reportedly captured seven Al Nusra Front fighters.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-17/264184-hezbollah-nusra-front-clash-near-lebanon-border.ashx#axzz3891zFLio Hezbollah, Nusra Front clash near Lebanon border | News, Lebanon News The Daily Star 2014-08-26 The fighting continued into the next day, with Syrian jets and Hezbollah bombarding rebel positions stretching from Arsal to Nanleh. Arsal residents were apparently being coerced into allowing fighters to rest there, and many civilians from Lebanese border villages had been kidnapped.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-18/264278-hezbollah-nusra-front-clash-persists-along-border.ashx#axzz3891zFLio Hezbollah, Nusra Front clash persists along border | News, Lebanon News The Daily Star 2014-08-26 Battle of Arsal On 2 August, Al Nusra Front leader Emad Jumaa was detained by Lebanese authorities at a checkpoint near Arsal. Al Nusra Front fighters, still reeling from an ambush orchestrated by pro-Syrian forces across the border, promptly surrounded Lebanese army checkpoints around the town and demanded his release.Yaakov Yifa https://www.timesofisrael.com/gunmen-encircle-lebanon-army-posts-after-syria-militant-held/ Gunmen encircle Lebanon army posts after Syria 'militant' held The Times of Israel 2014-08-02 2014-08-26 The army refused, and Al Nusra Front, backed by fighters from the Islamic State, stormed Arsal and captured the police station. Clashes broke out in and around the town between the militants and the Lebanese army, leaving 11 militants and 7 soldiers dead. The Lebanese army began to shell the town throughout the night, as Al Nusra Front detained 16 members of the local security forces.Reuters http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/02/syria-rebels-lebanon_n_5644669.html Syria's Islamist Rebels Battle Troops In Lebanon Huffingtonpost.com 2014-08-02 2014-08-26 From the second to the fifth fierce battles raged, lasting until the Jihadi army withdrew back into Syria on the fifth, capturing dozens of hostages, which were later used as bargaining chips.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Aug-21/267930-militants-will-free-captives-if-hezbollah-pulls-out-of-syria.ashx#axzz3B2fhk514 Militants will free captives if Hezbollah pulls out of Syria | News, Lebanon News The Daily Star 2014-08-26 Desperate battles between Al Nusra Front and Hezbollah fighters took place on the Syrian side of the border, spilling over into the Arsal area again on 21 August.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-14/263784-seven-hezbollah-fighters-dead-after-clash-on-syria-border.ashx Seven Hezbollah fighters dead after clash on Syria border | News, Lebanon News The Daily Star 2014-07-14 2014-08-26 On August 26, Syrian bombers targetedhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Aug-27/268663-syria-warplanes-bomb-lebanon-border-region.ashx#axzz3BQqtSY8q Syria warplanes bomb Lebanon border region The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon 29 October 2014 suspected rebel outposts on the Lebanese side of the border, beginning an offensive that inadvertently involved Lebanese troops,http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Aug-28/268770-lebanese-army-shells-militant-positions-along-northeastern-border.ashx#axzz3BQqtSY8q Lebanese Army: One missing after soldiers ambushed in Arsal The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon 29 October 2014 threatening to turn the Bekka valley into major battlefield of a regional war. On 16 September, Al-Nusra Front fighters crossed into Lebanon after clashing with the Syrian army. The Lebanese army repelled them, killing and wounding an unverified number.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Sep-16/270838-dozens-of-nusra-fighters-killed-along-lebanon-syria-border.ashx#axzz3DndUZIE7 Dozens of Nusra fighters killed along Lebanon-Syria border The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon 29 October 2014 On 19 September, two Lebanese soldiers were killed and three were wounded when a bomb exploded as their convoy was headed towards the outskirts of Arsal.https://news.yahoo.com/border-rocket-attack-lebanon-army-wounds-2-military-100011178.html Bomb attack kills 2 troops on Syria border: Lebanon army 19 September 2014 Yahoo News 29 October 2014 On 2 December, six Lebanese soldiers were killed and one wounded in an ambush by unknown gunmen in the Tal Hamra area of Ras Baalbek, near the border with Syria.Lebanese troops killed near Syrian border 2015 On 23 January, eight soldiers were killed and 22 wounded near Ras Baalbek after their outpost near the border was attacked by Al Nusra. The fighting also left more than 40 militants dead.8 soldiers dead, 22 wounded as Lebanon border battle ends See also Lebanon Asia Lebanese Civil War Lebanon–Syria border clashes (March 2025–present) References 30em Category:Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2012 Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2013 Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2014 Category:2012 in Lebanon Category:2013 in Lebanon Category:2014 in Lebanon Category:Lebanon–Syria relations Category:Battles involving the Islamic State