Syria Brings Military Reinforcements on Border with Lebanon as Army Says Has Backed Its Units

The Syrian army has brought reinforcements to military bases on the border with Lebanon, the Turkish state-run Anadolu agency reported on Saturday and the Lebanese army assured that it has backed its forces in the region.

“Syrian military reinforcements have reached army bases overlooking Lebanese northern villages,” Anadolu said.

LBCI television added: “Syria's army has set up two detonators in regions near a Lebanese general security center in (the border town of) al-Abboudiyeh”.

Witnesses have told Anadolu that more soldiers have been deployed in the region.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army denied later on Saturday media reports saying that it has evacuated its bases in the Bekaa region.

"The army continues to do its job of safeguarding stability and security, in addition to protecting the people on the border," the Army Command stated, confirming that it has lately brought reinforcements to its units.

On Friday, several Lebanese citizens were wounded when Syrian “anti-aircraft” guns targeted several towns in the border region of Akkar.

LBCI television said “shells fired from Syria fell on Lebanese border towns".

The escalation comes two days after Syria warned that its forces would fire into Lebanon if "terrorist gangs" continued to infiltrate its territory.

"Syrian forces are showing restraint by not striking these gangs inside Lebanese territory to prevent them from crossing into Syria, but this will not go on indefinitely," Syria's foreign ministry said in a letter of protest, urging Lebanon to take action.