Shells Hit Two Akkar Towns amid Fierce Battle near Grand River

Shells fired from the Syrian side of the border fell on the outskirts of the Akkar towns of al-Noura and al-Dabbabiyeh on Friday, prompting residents to flee the area en masse, state-run National News Agency reported.

“A state of fear and anxiety is engulfing these border towns and some residents have fled to safer places,” NNA said.

“A major gunbattle involving the use of all sorts of heavy weapons is currently taking place near the Grand River,” the agency added.

Meanwhile, Future TV said Syrian artillery shelling was targeting "the Lebanese border area between Western Dabbabiyeh and al-Noura and residents are fleeing the region."

Earlier, it said fierce bombardment was targeting the Syrian town of al-Zara "from positions near the Lebanese border at a rate of two shells per minute."

Later on Friday, NNA said three shells and heavy machinegun fire targeted the outskirts of Fraydees and al-Dabbabiyeh on the Lebanese bank of the Grand River.

It added that gunshots were being fired at the cars crossing the Abboudiyeh-Minjez highway.